Friday, November 8, 2013

TORN FLAG

The sentry stands
Alone, alabaster eyed
Staring toward tomorrow.
The driven tears shine,
Wind moans with anguish unseen
A fear unknown.
Torn flags drape the forgotten
The blanket of misery,
Duty calls from marbled halls
And when they fell
Replaced by a poppy.
The sentry with shoulder firm
Defender of the dead,
Rigid when the pursed lips meet
The last post, the last word said.
The sadness of a nation shows
When a young soldier dies,
A volley of rippled fire
As the torn flag flies.

Phil Hall  November 2013

1 comment:

  1. "When they fell, replaced by a poppy" out of a soldier's death springs new life ... a poignant reminder that life goes on tho history may have stood still ...

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