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Prisoners Of War (repost for Jeffrey's Challenge)
| Open Poetry #7 |
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Prisoners Of War (repost for Jeffrey's Challenge) |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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PRISONERS OF WAR Held knee deep in water's rage, We watch the world through a bamboo cage. With the snake and leech a home we share, But no one visits, none would care. Once we held our rifles high and true, To our native land we paid our due. Now, by the world, thought of not, By our own nation we are forgot. We watched our brothers dig as slaves, The shallow holes to be their graves... In distorted awe, wondering why, We were considered "lucky" not to die. As, between remorse and envy, rationale warps, Rendering us a non-existent, living corpse. Yes we survived, knowing not what for. Left behind we'll die, prisoners of war. Arlington, a place prepared quite nice For our brothers who paid the ultimate price. Countless slabs of pale, cold stone, The celebrated graves of the unknown. Might a cross better symbolize a soul Who couldn't cross the bridge but paid the toll? Handed a gun he couldn't fire, To live or die, walking a wire. Now, Prisoners Of War Eternally Resting, Still bear no claim to the lines they we're nesting. Unremembered, unrewarded, unsung, unknown, Each lies in rot ‘neath a one word headstone. Yet, unfazed by foulness and stench, Thousands amass to heed this wench, Where men who once stood proud and tall Are now, merely, names upon a wall. So we pay our respects and grief Looking on in utter disbelief, At this, the war's highest achievable prize In shame even Arlington's beauty can't guise. For government would have them do it again, Fight a causeless war behind a poison pen. But they can't justify a reason for Forty-six thousand dead prisoners of war. Surviving veterans coming home, Spit on, laughed at, a hero's welcome. Two years ago left a kid on a whim. He returns home now, missing a limb. And the cuts and wounds, they scar and heal, But a bleeding heart may never seal. Two years later a mind been scaled By sheer coldness the war unveiled. Turning, jumping at every sound, A slammed door drops him to the ground. Still suffering from the pain inflicted, Or succumbing to the needle, addicted. Still fighting a war inside, Still clinging to the diseased pride Once held in such unparalleled manner, Defending some other star spangled banner. And they come home scarred, maimed and blind. Some come home out of their mind. Then some come home just a man been tore. But they all come home - prisoners of war. They used to hang gold stars in the window. Placed there in proud display to show (Sent to defend a striving land), Another soldier making his stand. Too young to die, too far to roam, Now another soldier won't be home. Just twenty-one rifles blasting the sky, For service to country? - A venerable goodbye. Laid to rest in a grave of gloom, Slave to other's vengeance, a voiceless tomb. As a family learns to live with pain, Memories of a son they lost in vain. Still, they find it hard to choke the tears, Though the images fade through the years. For the picture still hangs on the wall Of a boy who answered a man's call. The fire of life in his eyes, benign. Says, "Only here, may gold stars shine." Still each day in it's view hearts grow sore, But then it seems we're all prisoners of war. Michael Anderson |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Poignant tribute, Michael. Corinne |
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Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
Micheal, You never cease to amaze me with your talent. This is a beautiful tribute. Thank you for reposting this. All my love, Jeffrey I lie awake in a world filled with dreams, but dreams can be so real when you don't know you're asleep |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Oh, Michael~ The tales of the war dead break my heart ... I read them and write them because these men and women are more important than my tears. You've given me reflection to pause and remember ... I thank you for this beautiful tribute. 'For the picture still hangs on the wall Of a boy who answered a man's call.' ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Michael ----this is sooooo well done. and a war so tragic -- it is hard to write about - this is great. I hope you allow Jeffrey to post this one in his small town's newspaper. And, more tears for all the prisoners of war, dead or alive - netswan |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I applaud the effort you put into this work, Michael, and the end result. |
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
Wonderful piece!  |
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