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One Hour before the Dawn
| Open Poetry #4 |
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One Hour before the Dawn |
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Rod Member
since 1999-12-08
Posts 149Auckland New Zealand |
ONE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN by Rod Walford She stands alone, small, cold and frail, A light rain falls on the Cenotaph’s rail On a cold and bleak foreboding morn, At just one hour before the dawn. She feels no pain, she sheds no tears, Her thoughts transcending through the years; Her noble head is bowed in prayer, Stilled in the time she lost him there....... On a lonely field in a place called hell, Of battle flame and raining shell, His injured comrade on his back, He carried through his grim attack. Yet fate was cruel - the sniper’s round That cut her husband to the ground Served only as a bridge in time Beyond it’s unforgiving line......... She may not walk, ere years must pass But still remains his faithful lass; No other man his place could take Nor share her picnic by the lake. And now on each remembrance morn, At just one hour before the dawn; The hallowed hour at which he fell, His spirit moves, in her to dwell. As dark horizon turns to grey, The pipes lament the break of day; The wreaths of poppies laid with love Pay homage to the souls above. She lifts her head now, dignified; And in her eyes, the glow of pride For, tightly held in her dear hand The one that wears his wedding band.... She holds the secret so long cherished The symbol of a love unperished And in the dawn light’s ghostly pallor The simple wording reads “For Valour”. Bereavement’s shadow drapes its cloak Around the widow’s heart of oak Behold! - the weight of tragic loss She bears as One who bore the Cross. Unknown, uncounted days remain Then she’ll be with her love again. In Heaven’s mirror, brightly viewed, Her country’s love - and gratitude. Lest we forget to bear in mind The ladies who were left behind, Though age may weary and condemn, We ever should remember them, Their courage knows no bounds of time, Though earthly flesh may wither; Whoever would true valour see Let him come hither. © Rod Walford 1999 |
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| © Copyright 1999 Rod Walford - All Rights Reserved | |||
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
I liked the words you chose, and it touched me deeply!  WELCOME to passions! Great first time poem! |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Rod, welcome to Passions!  The first word that springs to mind for this piece is graceful. It is deep also, and is very moving. I particularly liked the line 'bereavement's shadow drapes its cloak' K |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Welcome to the family! This is a wonderful poem, rich in story and imagery! I look forward to reading more of your work!  |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Rod: A wonderful tribute.. and welcome..  )HUGS Yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Poignant and beautiful... well done! And Welcome!!! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Welcome to Passions, Rod.. Your work is wonderful... You'll fit in here beautifully... Keep 'em coming... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Rod - Welcome. You sure made one heck of an entrance. Haunting and lovely. ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Mike Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462 |
Well done. Enjoyed. |
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Betty Gravitt Member
since 1999-09-11
Posts 222Georgia United States |
Beautiful poem Rod. Look forward to reading more from you. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Rod, this is excellent, your choice of words and imagery in it were great. The flow was good and your rhyme also. Let me wish you a warm welcome to passions and I'm looking forward to more Ruth |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
Very moving, beautifully written piece Rod and a big Welcome to Passions. I look forward to enjoying more of your work....... A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire! |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Rod, this is an exceptional piece of writing! Very well done. Denise |
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DreamEvil Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 2396 |
Truly this is excellent work. Now and forever, my heart hears ~one voice~. DreamEvil© ------------------------------------------------------- "Either kill me or take me as I am, because I'll be damned if I ever change..." Count Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade (Marquis de Sade) |
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Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
Well, you are certainly a weaver, Sir. "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me." -Charles Brugnot |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
men to your poem, Rod. Glad to have you here. |
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