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barbaraj
Member

since 2003-01-24

Posts 139
Nova Scotia, Canada

0 posted 2004-08-15 02:06 PM

A king sits high upon his throne,
Awaiting the son he calls his own.
The Prince will lead the troops to war,
A call to arms he cannot ignore.

"Why, Son, must you go and fight?
Others have equal skill and might."

"Father, that is not how I was raised.
Truth and valor rule my days.
I must heed my people's cry,
And defend them even if I'll die.
I go now down the battle path,
Where widows weep and dead men laugh.
I know not if I'll return.
I cannot 'til the enemy burns."

"Son, I see now that you must go.
I have faith in you and love you so.
You must know before you leave;
If you die, we all will grieve.
And though you'll die a hero's death,
We'll rue the war with every breath.
When you win: you must and you will,
We'll celebrate and the streets will fill.
We will rejoice for nights and days,
And write stories, songs, poems and plays."

"Father, you praise me much too soon.
I leave not for the war till noon.
Our troops are the bravest in the land,
Yet the enemy holds a mighty hand.
We'll put up a deadly fight,
From daybreak and by moonlight.
Watch for news beyond that hill,
One day soon, you'll know fate's will.
If white flags you do see,
I'll return in victory.
But if the only flags you see are black,
Then you'll know I won't be coming back."

Father and son now depart,
Both with heavy words in heavy hearts,
A Prince sits high upon his horse,
Waiting to lead and plot a war's course.
A King sits high upon his throne,
Awaiting the son he calls his own

Magnus

Member Laureate

since 2001-10-10

Posts 14135
South Carolina, USA

1 posted 2004-08-15 02:12 PM

Barbaraj,  you are writing very close to
this man's heart with these words....

I was a warrior, so to speak...  I love to
write of knights and wars....of tearful
goodbyes and sad nights of death...and
glad ones of revelry...

My father's father wrote to him a poem back
in 1943....  I will try to find the link...
The composition isn't perfect....but it is
real,  it is emotion filled...and I would
trade nothing for it...

Thanx for a beautiful poem that sits beside
me now...

Susan
Member Ascendant

since 2004-03-27

Posts 5104
walking the surreal

2 posted 2004-08-15 03:55 PM

I enjoyed this, the sorrow of the parting, but the committment to duty. It rings true throught out the ages --

Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind.

Copperbell
Senior Member

since 2003-11-08

Posts 956

3 posted 2004-08-15 04:43 PM

People with courage, knowing what might lie ahead and moving forward anyway. A theme worth thinking about- I enjoyed this as well.

Kevo
Member

since 2004-06-02

Posts 466
Navarro County, Texas, USA

4 posted 2004-08-16 12:38 PM

Yes Barbarba!

A topic near and dear to me. One of my few inspirations that fuel my own writing. The commitment made by all warriors is a sacred one. I know BJ, myself, and many others here understand to great depths the voluntary sacrice in defense of what we hold dear. The feeling, the willingness to selfless devote yourself to a cause is played out beautifully with your words and your imagery. It is the same feeling of commitment troops hold dear today. It is the one constant in warriors over the milleniums and the one constant in all past conflicts and causes. Well written and greatly appreciated.

Kevin
U.S. Marines 1988-1996 OORAH!

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced