Some fathers died, some sons were killed;
Some were afraid, and some gung-ho;
Some went back against their will;
Some lusted for the chance, to go
Into chaos, into fire,
Into unimaginable hell: to
Realms where friendly fire
Came from estwhile allies. Now,
Ring bells of victory,
Ring bells which bid farewell,
Ring bells which give warning:
Enemies approach: O, ring bells.
Somewhere, in small towns, neighbors,
Ones who knew the victims - these
Well-meaning ones offer their tears,
But there is no substitute for peace.
Ring bells, but whisper prayers:
For those left behind; theirs
Is the burden, to go on:
For them, pray for dawn.
2008
Will, this is a beautifully scribed, pensive, perfectly flowing composition, with its compelling imperative at the end. t x
The last stanza of your poem is really superb. I join you in your prayer for dawn. Praise for your eloquent pen. Your poetess friend, Sandra
Somewhere, in a small town, neighbors, Ones who knew the victims - these Well-meaning ones offer their tears, But there is no substitute for peace. Ring bells, but whisper prayers: For those left behind; theirs Is the burden, to go on: For them, pray for dawn. I see strands of light shining from that dawn in your words Will What a briliant poem of prayer Shine on my friend Love duncan X
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Great poem from beginning to end but I found the contradictions in the first stanza particularly effective... amazingly insightful and brilliantly written!