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THOSE MEN

So many of them are gone now
those old men who fought the fight
who saw the beaches and the snow
soaked in blood so red and bright.

Young boys were called and thus they went
with no doubt of where they stood
to see their friends and buddies rent
and felled in the hedges and the woods.

Then on to free the walking dead
from death's fearful fiery factories,
visions ever wedged within their heads
of ash dumps and spewing chimneys.

And yet they marched
and yet they marched......
through the bloodshed with hollow eyes
and night terrors leaving dry throats parched
ever yet they marched.

At last with battles finally won
with minds and hearts grown cold and numb
they returned home to tell no one
preferring that their lips stay dumb.

These heroes pursued by private dreads
never discussed or brought to light
husbands' and fathers' sweaty beds
where memories stirred late, late at night.

And yet they marched, on down the years
loving men with cherished families;
still they marched despite the tears
each toward their private destinies.

The few old soldiers still around,
even now with haunted eyes,
see bodies on the killing grounds
recalling the job which they despised
as they march onward toward misty skies.

Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Last few words: 
Memorial day is more than just retail sales
Editing stage: 

Comments

Rhythm and flow was great in this one. I have only a few small suggestions.

4th stanza, 5th line - i would change "yet" to "on" - it helps the flow a little bit
last stanza, 2nd line - change "yet" to "now"

Other than that - everthing looks great. Keep up the good work!

It is such a secret place, the land of tears. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Thank you for reading and the suggestions. I'll let a few more comments post before editing but will take your ideas under consideration when I do............................scribbler

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I saw where the last American veteran of the 1st world war died a few days ago. The WW2 vets are also going fast and most of them Never talked about their war experience...............stan

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My father was in the navy but never saw combat. However my father-in-law was involved in the campaign in Italy and was involved in liberating at least one concentration camp. He went to his death without discussing the the war with his family though we all knew it haunted him at times. Thank you for coming by...........scribbler

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Stan you nailed this one it's a brilliant piece of writing, a fitting tribute to those amazing people. We sometimes forget their heroic deeds . Thank you for this Stan, Regards Roscoe..

Roscoe Llane,

Religion will rip your faith off, and return
for the mask of disbelief that's left.

Don't know about brilliant but it is heartfelt. Not all war wounds are physical....................stan

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I have lost as you have a few friends and fellow servicemen and women.
An uncle in the 14-18 war nearly a hundred years ago now, where my Father fought, This would be grand for remembrance day, though the ones to be remembered due to modern thoughts are becoming few.
We still go to war yet most everyone asks "Why"..
Why do we kill each other in fields that should grow our food in places where nothing grows.
The great desert, the Sahara took many of your Eighth Army and our troops under Monty, but the sand is still the same, our gain is what we call freedom, this is a long discussion on what we have and should have, and as those Brave men that have part of my heart, died to give us this present,
Our politicians have a lot to answer for, they make me cringe running around in their smart suits saying young man fight here and there for your country, yet they carry on keeping their own children without shelter or food in these times of Technology.
I watch a programme on TV called the Secret Millionaire both in the UK and the USA it shows how badly our countries are run, and they always blame the poor, the self same ones that would give their lives for their country..
I give up young Stan it is so hard to hear of the poor in your country and mine and how little a change would be needed to sort things out..
That will do its not Sunday..
Take care young Stan< yours Ian.T..
PS:- Bless those that gave their all..

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

I don't remember who first said "Democracies always get exactly the government they deserve" but they were on the money. We keep electing these same dolts then can't believe they keep making the same mistakes........stan

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