Blood And Stone

For our fallen brethren this November 11th.

Poppies lean against white stone
heart-red sentries stand alone,
fallen soldiers now here lie
gone without their last goodbye.

There are those that still remember
these fallen souls this November.
Gold star mothers softly cry
and wonder why they had to die.

Against forgotten winds of yore,
fought and died far from our shores.
We owe them more than mere bouquets.
feel deep their loss this Armistice Day.

Author's Note

Armistice Day (which overlaps with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day) is celebrated every year on 11 November to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

And that is why it is always celebrated on the 11th of the month and the day or date is never moved to make a long weekend like most other holidays.

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Wow...powerful stuff. What strikes me most is the vividness of the color in this piece, and the heaviness of the words, which resonate so deeply. Gone, but NEVER forgotten...great work.

[icelandicblue]

True Sarah-

We shall never forget. It's great to see you around.

[Anand Sehgal]

Against forgotten winds of yore,
fought and died far from our shores.
We owe them more than mere bouquets.
feel deep their loss this Armistice Day.

Intense, emotive write :)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

[Anand Sehgal]

my pleasure

[Angi]

I like how you have written the poppies into this piece with respect. That other poem that disrespected our soldiers has left a bad taste in my mouth. This goes a long way in washing that out. I never knew why it was always on Nov. 11th. Thank you for the extra information regarding that. This is a lovely tribute, Blue. Nicely done. Angi~

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Angi- Read Flander's Field- where the poppies originated in one of the most beautiful and haunting poems I have ever read about war. I left that poem on that vile poem for the writer to read. My poem is a mere ghost in comparison to that one. Thank you so much for reading.

[Marie]

Thank you for the wonderful poem, and also for the background about the 11th. I'm glad to know this; I never thought about why Veterans day was celebrated on the 11th.

[icelandicblue]

My pleasure Marie- it's an important date. Thank you for reading.

[Jared Nolis]

Remembering those who have fought so we can enjoy the many freedoms we do, thank you for sharing this poem in tribute to our Veterans of all wars. Your poem paints a beautiful picture of why we honor those who have fought, are fighting now and will fight in the future for our country.

[icelandicblue]

I am pleased that you found the poem to be of service Jared. Thank you so much for reading.

[Jared Nolis]

Both a pleasure and honor icelandicblue, you're poetry is powerful and vivid.

[Rachelle]

A fitting tribute to men who fought for peace!

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much sweetbind.

[Dr. Wood ?]

wonderful words to commemorate the brave ICE

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Doc it's a sombre day isn't it?

[Dr. Wood ?]

More so for those that were there I feel.....But we are soon going to be having a whole generation that do NOT remember a world war......I HOPE

[icelandicblue]

Well, you are right. But the children of those vets have a lot of second hand stories to remember. However, if there is WWIII no one will remember.

[Dr. Wood ?]

true............I pray sometimes.....To myself of course.....But I really do believe that even the most ignorant will realise that global conflict is a road to OBLIVION

[Carolann Dowsett]

A very sad tribute to the fallen. Nicely written.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Carolann,

Good to see you.

[Rita L. Sev]

Those poppies get to me. This poem flows with pride and melancholy... beautiful tribute for all who have served, Blue.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Rita,

They get to me to. I figured the poem is the least I could do.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

beautiful tribute, Anne...

you so well express what so many of us feel about our brave service men and women...who have served and those who have died protecting our country.

they deserve all of our honor and respect.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you jacob and i could not agree more.