NEVER TELL THEM.

You know you'll never tell them
The true aspect of war;
Never reveal the sights you saw:
The men, women and children dying,

The colour of blood on your uniform
Not your own; the change of sky;
The way they die,
The spit and vomit

And the cries along the line;
And nightly dreams
That end up unfolding
From the day before

With all the agony and gore.
You'll come home
And say nothing
Of the sights of war;

Say nothing of the headless men,
The limbless friends;
You will come home in silence
And hope war ends.

Comments: 10

Terry Collett Apr 10, 2008, 2:43am EDT

Tthe photograph from World War One: hundreds of the dead soldiers. Poem by me and my Muse. In memory of Jim Welsh a dear friend and old soldier who told me a lot about his war.

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Always Tillie M. Apr 10, 2008, 11:57am EDT

The sad part to me is that he would say nothing. How is he supposed to deal with it if he says nothing?

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Jessica S. Aug 25, 2008, 2:27pm EDT

Very touching tribute.

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Linda T. Aug 25, 2008, 4:12pm EDT

Even if he chose to speak I think his audience would have a difficult time truly understanding the horrors he had witnessed.

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Angela A. Aug 25, 2008, 5:20pm EDT

This is very sad, but, true for most veterans. Sometimes the war is just too painful to bring up to your family.
Lovely poem, my friend.

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Jan S. Aug 25, 2008, 10:35pm EDT

WWI soldiers' bodies were not brought home, but buried on the battleground. There was no transport to return bodies for burial.

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Carl Prime Time Lee Aug 26, 2008, 12:28am EDT

Thank you for using Gather Broadcast, where there is an open line of communication for all and you’re more than a connection.

Gather Broadcasting: Have it your way

This takes you in the back door. If you’ve already been, don’t click again.

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Kimber F. Aug 26, 2008, 4:39am EDT

My grandfather never spoke of his war, except sometimes when he could take it no more and he would get drunk and share some of the stories. It was awful to see him in such pain. He never did get over it. This poem is very sad, but very true for so many of our military. Thanks for sharing it and peace.

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