Soldiers Once

[wordsrmylife]

I finished my quick-turn-around job earlier this afternoon and had a couple hours extra. I could have, and maybe should have, worked on my wip, but my thoughts were on Veterans Day. So I spent the time writing  a series of occasional poems.

Comments

[kellyrfineman]

Those are achingly, jaw-droppingly beautiful, with just the right amount of sad, and just the right amount of nostalgia, and just the right amount of, well, everything. Brava.

[wordsrmylife]

Oh my, thank you so much.

Your words mean so much, coming as they do from someone whose work I admire.

[maedwen]

Beautiful poetry--thank you. Have you read Pat Barker's Regeneration Trilogy (I think that's what it's called)? I also love the poems of Robert Graves (Apples and Water --not the actual title of the poem) and Charles Causley ( along with Sassoon and Brooks). "Dear friend, here is no cause to mourn. None, cried the other, save the undone years and hopeless loss..." I'm quoting from memory, and may have messed most of this comment up, but these are thoughts your poetry invoked in me. Thank you!

[wordsrmylife]

I haven't read Pat Barker, but will, and I'm also not familiar with Charles Causley, so thanks for these suggestions. I'm also flattered to be included in such august company. Sassoon's poetry certainly shaped the way I view war and soldiering.

I've always wondered why my Yankee grandfather enlisted with the Royal Engineers. I do know that trains run in the family--his father was a conductor on the line between Boston, Mass., and Portland, Maine. But now I'll never know, as my father is the only one possible source and he never knew, either.