Poems

My fragile heart has been dead for so long, No longer then does it sing love's true song It weeps the tears of un-requited love Like the broken wings of a turtle dove Cast aside, by an unscrupulous soul 'Tis buried deep in a dark black hole. My fragile heart will...

Stand tall, stand firm, stand here, stand now We’re brave we’re bold we’re warriors of old with gold in our hearts and sweat on our brow We’ll fight and we’ll scrap, shoot and kick back, just remember what we gave today Our lives not yours to continue your years, a...

A grain of sand in a lifeless land as far as the eye can see It’s been a week, with no relief, won’t you come and set me free How I wish a plane would land, according to plan and take me away from here but my luck’s run out, my body is broke and I don’t know where I...

Bombs go boom and lights are flashing People screaming and things are smashing! Will I live or will I die? I am strong I will not cry! The sludge is thick and really muddy, The place here is really bloody! People live and people die I am strong I will not cry! I am as...

There is a side to my home town Which when I think on it, I feel down It’s sorry miserable and dark Flowing like fog, from streets and park There is a menace abroad Spilling onto the street, a host, a hoard At night it is worse still It is not just wind that gives me...

I phoned an old soldier friend of mine Just to pass the time of day He said I can't talk for long mate- I'm readying my beret He said I'm gonna march next week, Hold my head up high He said you're welcome to join us- I declined and told him why I was never a soldier,...

Pale winter’s sun with her sweet dwindling light, To bed crept she to hide her weary face, Whilst fell around her darkness bleak as space. What madness might have met the fateful sight, But for one faint and gentle spec of white? A single flake of snow with God’s good...

A piece of mud! A piece of mud! One hundred yards across that flood, ‘Boys that’s our goal, the end’, they say, ‘Our flag will fly from there today’. A piece of mud! A piece of mud! A gentle hill, worth nothing much, A tomb where several thousand sleep, A place where...

When out one night a-hunting in the midst of winter’s deep, I thought I saw a nightingale soft crying in his sleep, Why do you cry sweet nightingale? Why touch the silent nights, With songs of dreadful sadness? What know you of foreign fights? On that same night...

First light and is the night swift sent from sky to back of mind, Forgotten timeless hours spent, awake, though eyes were blind, Behind the clouds the sun peaks out an arm to turn the ruse, First light’s a poet’s marvel; it’s the budding wordsmith’s muse. The waking...

In time’s careful, steady stretching, where long hours slowly pass, The privates line their little trenches, dreaming of the past, How far it feels, the taste of home, that lingers in their breast, So hard each time to bring to mind, when tired eyes close to rest. How...

Silently waiting, rifle in hand Observing the enemy; like ants in the sand Lowering the sights, no time for regrets Distant gun fire; how many are left Injured or dying Exhausted, bereft? Remnants of war we must never forget.

Standing by a tree, rifle on hip Leaves red and yellow like a Viking ship Watching from the shadows, a poachers eye Silently waiting as phantoms glide by A noise, just a bird on the forest floor Preening and dancing like Madame Pompadour. Footsteps follow a distant...

The Boiling angry sky building far above Darkness descends as the sun is swallowed The air feels prickly and thick with malice We will soon witness the gods and drink from their chalice There is a deep rumble felt across the land As it signals the start of this...

Very early in the morn, When the rays of the sun signal dawn I stretch as a new day is born And then I luxuriously Yawn Now at work, the screen glowing at me I continue to show my fillings for all to see I unlock my jaws and open wide I try to remember to use my hand...

I wondered lonely as a challenger battle tank The smell inside can get ripe, quite rank Leaving trails in soil, sand and snow For their size they are far from slow Noisily grinding, abruptly the sound did cease Perhaps the bearings needed more grease But alas no, the...

Silence falls around now, As sorrow fills my mind That all those souls were fallen In the battle for mankind But through that pain comes hope From faltered fractured fear The world falls down around us But England is still here You can defame our morals You can call...

From their camp base, The young men face Another dawn patrol. It’s scorching hot, A soldier’s lot, To strive and reach his goal. In Afghanistan Do all they can, Win local hearts and minds. They need to fight With all their might, But, long term – friendships bind....

Built by man, For heavenly flight, Soaring, diving, Out of sight, Endless excitement, Twirling bright, Sent against, The Hun’s great might, Screaming down, Out of the Sun, Against all odds, The battles won, Bravery, death’s defiant leap, Appointment with the enemy...

Lets us all remember Raymond with love and great respect Remember all the happy times and on them now reflect He taught me how to operate, a long and winding road At Dawn, He’d take his photos whilst I brought the unit up on load And while he organised the bonfire...

I wasn’t there when the guns fell silent On that cold November morn I wasn’t there when the sanity returned I wasn’t even born I wasn’t there to see the carnage, The broken and the dead I wasn’t there when the fear went away Taking the horror and the dread I wasn’t...

I can’t hear the trumpets Calling us all home I can’t hear the ladies Cheering us, every one No brass bands playing or flags waving As we make our way to rest No crowds to cheer us onward No medals on our chest All that we look forward to Is the soil, so cold and...

You should rest weary Soldier. You have given your commitment; you have served your time. Flags have fallen in your honour; tears have fallen by your side. I will surely remember you as I stand my ground on this ‘foreign field’. I was there by your side. Do you...

Once we flapped in humid breeze In distant places overseas. Flew we high on battered spire, Wreathed in smoke from cannon fire. With dreadful pride and tearful eye we saw our guardians fall and die. We gave sentinel when we were hung in hallowed halls, for battles...

(Flanders: Western Front WW1) I can hear the Guns, Sarge. Can you feel the thump and hear the crump? I can, son. I can. I’m scared, Sarge. I covered my ears to block out the sound and dropped my rifle to the ground. You must pick up your rifle, son; see the barrage...

I set aside the comforts of home, set out for distant parts unknown, learned the abhorrent skills of war and fought side-by-side with men I hardly knew until, forged by battle, the bonds of friendship grew. When, as is the wont of war, those bonds were torn to hell...

They crossed at Trichardts drift in the early morning mist and marched side by side beneath the rising sun. Three miles of growing heat aching backs and weary feet, as they trudged the winding trail toward the guns They fought the urge to flee as they climbed through...

Charlie was a companion of note of whom, when he died, nothing was wrote. He and I had an immediate, indefinable rapport until he too became another casualty of war. We struggled together through waterlogged mud, amid broken limbs and the stench of blood to deliver...

Madam Zara in her tent Waited for the city gent Seen inside her crystal ball He had no choice he had to call He came in nervous and alone Turning off his mobile phone As he sat down he looked a mess As if he had not time to dress But Madam Zara knew the score Still...

We were hidden in the Trenches, waiting for our chance. Waiting to strike the Germans, around them to prance. We were inside the den, digging a bit more. Then suddenly, Germans came, and wounds we bore. They shot us and beat us and took us alive, So those who were...

Time stands still for the man in the field, to regain his composure and pick up his shield. The wind breezes past him not leaving a chill, courage engulfs him, he ascends the hill. Dampened earth from the blood of men, letters in hand..... love through a pen. He moves...

A soldier marches to the beat of a drum, gun held to his chest, war has begun Comrades surround him, friends will end up dead, but battle continues........alone in his head. Is it luck he requires or the skill to survive, will he return in a box......or come home...

Well here I am again, in the place I know so well, it's quiet, dark and without warmth. To some it's hard to find, to me it's second nature. I thought that it was far away, but here I am, back in despair, on this a very sad day. Gather up your baggage, your memories...

I was a soldier, a young boy no less, that was led into battle, all blooded, a mess I feared for my safety, my life I could lose, without even saying........"for this I don't choose" I came back alive, all battered and torn, my head all disheveled......" for this I...

Pilots waiting, drinking tea; For some, their very last cup. The Field Phone rings out urgently, It’s ‘Ops’ and I run to fly up. Pull back stick, Gain height quick. Attack from high in the sky. Cool and brave, Lives to save. Bombers come, wave after wave. Get in first...

After the storm the sky turned blue And the wind made waves in the corn Birds were singing and from the field Came the sound of a calf being born The doleful chimes of a distant clock Were carried to where I now stood In a meadow filled with flowers That lead to a...

In the land of the poppies so far away Come every November my memory will stray, So long ago I still recall My mothers brother, I knew not at all. Every November a candle was lit My mother told tales, us children would sit, A legend passed on to my children’s’ ear A...

Thinking of a cats and the things that comes to mind Are those things set in rubber in a country lane In an effort to Indicate the white line On the darkest of nights so I'll do my best to explain How a very bright individual set his mind to work And pondered how the...

In this world there’s one thing certain We all have only one Mother And she's the one with love endowed And has shared it with us like no other When as a child she'd comfort you And knew the right things to say Even when you fell and hurt yourself Whilst you were out...

I’m off to war but not just me; England France and Germany, Leaving our homes, maybe for good, My family say go but I’m not sure I should, I thought for a while, and here’s my conclusion, I’m going to war, my head in confusion, Wave goodbye one last time, now off to...

The day was still, no sound to hear No flashing lights to raise our fear The ground that shook the night before Was now at peace and moved no more. No cries of pain after enemy fire No call to arms to rush the wire It is quiet, though all around The misery of the...

The world has a wealth of beautiful birds In colours and culture serene Flying the skies or swimming on water Always a joy to be seen But the species I have in mind today Natives of India are they so I’m told Proud and pretty and colourful are Peafowl A wondrous joy...

Now Australia is a land far far away ” down under!” to us in the U K It’s part of the Antipodes Or so I’ve heard people say In the southern Hemisphere Though I’m not sure what they are I only know you go by Sea or Fly ‘cos you won’t get there by car Now the men might...

After her searching stares, her loving looks and angry glares, only then did I let her see the fury I hold inside of me, and only then I unclenched my fist each finger pressed against her wrist, to let her hold my fractured heart, each pumping vein a separate path, to...

Every day the list will grow with names so soon forgot except for grieving families the emptiness, the loss. So proud in khaki and in blue they fight for Queen ‘tis said in countries far across the sea our young lads blood is shed. On foreign soil our fathers wept and...

Loved ones past and present Gathered by her side There to bring her comfort As her time on earth drew nigh Silently they waited For God to call her name So she could finally rest in peace In a world that bears no pain When the Angels came to take her home They swathed...

Born before their time was due Petite, yet perfect nonetheless A premature babe so delicate A gift which Heaven blessed A brand new life in miniature Every feature perfectly formed Like a budding flower just opening It’s full beauty waiting to adorn Many weeks and...

Devastated blown apart, confused head, confused heart Hard to hear, hard to talk, will I won’t I, will I walk Loads of confusion in my head, better off living or better off dead Now in shelter far from harm, lost a leg or lost an arm No decisions in a hurry, loads of...

Ever cheerful, enjoying the moment with Laughter or a smile available for all Spinning each day to its fullest extent Inspirational in her actions Ever in our thoughts

All was quiet before the riot, Then the shooting caused the looting Up and down London Town. There was nowhere safe and sound. Setting shops and cars alight, Kids caused violence every night. Contact through the internet, Stealing all that they could get. It would...

I was always taught in life To be respectful to my wife. My father never beat my mum, She’d have walloped him till kingdom come. Formidable, this mum of mine; I remember once, when I had lines, She sat and wrote them out for me While I sat down and watched T.V. She...

To sit in their kitchens while drinking their tea Is where it is natural for women to be. Shopping and cooking and washing and ironing Are tasks for which women are naturally pining. They shouldn’t have jobs and they shouldn’t go clubbing; They should be hoovering,...

I don’t understand what’s happening in our land There is no community, we’ve even bouts of anarchy, Nothing like it used to be when I was young and fancy free. Then we had security, a feeling of tranquillity, Hope for our economy, a promise of stability. Then the ruin...

He was a hero, my son Perhaps not in the conventional way Bearing arms in the fight Or saving the world from ruination Like Superman might. But my son was a hero, all right. He was a hero, my son. An ordinary soldier in an ordinary job. Doing what he had to do....

The structuring timetable of 9-5 of civvie life the norm, Sharing a room with fellow troops, laughter in the dorm, Training, stagging and sleepness nights, Bangs and explosions to bring on the frights, Back home in bed, wife sleeping close by, Safe and sound I let out...

On 1 September 1939 Germany crossed the Poland line On 3 September Britain was at war Just like 25 years before Dame Vera Lynn sang about the White Cliffs of Dover And hoping the Nightingales returned to Berkeley Square And We Would Meet Again when the war was over...

selflessly you leave behind, your mums, dads, husbands and wives selflessly you leave to fight and you risk your lives. all the horrors you have seen, haunt you at night, in your dreams you cheered as your enemies hit the ground, cried as your brothers fell all...

when you look in a soldiers eyes, you see into their souls, you see the horrors the ones they never told. you say they are murderers, killers you see its not that clear and simple, the things they do to help others be free. many innocents have lost their...

In summertime when days are long And sunshine warms the soul We never think of winter’s grasp And long nights black as coal Our bodies seem more flexible When kissed by summer skies We bend and smell the flowers Like human butterflies No task can make us mope and moan...

Upon the oceans, deep and vast, Many people in the past Would hoist their sails upon the foam To find a place to call their home. Some were fleeing persecution, Some in fear of destitution, Others taken forcibly To be sold into slavery. From Europe and from Africa...

Civilians get hurt and sometimes even killed but that is always the fortunes of war The new casualty list is now being filled and we hope there will not be much more This conflict should have been done with by now yet it still lingers on day by day We can’t see the...

Whilst in an airport returning home People were beginning to clap and cheer Witnessed an act of patriotism ever seen As a group of soldiers drew near Just then a young girl ran up to a soldier Hugging him she kissed him on his cheek Please pass them on to my daddy At...

“Grandpa, Grandpa,” She chuckled from the house. Then she slammed the door And I found myself locked out Without a bloody key And not knowing what to do; Get somebody to call the police Or wait outside for you. She was less than two years old, Alone, without a nappy....

I used to wear a blazer With a badge sewn on the pocket To show the school I went to; A white shirt and a school tie, A pullover to keep me warm, Black shoes, grey trousers and a cap, Completing my school uniform; A tidy little chap. But when I was a teenager I bought...

When I was fourteen I went out And visited a chemist’s shop. I bought myself a razor Because I knew I was growing up. And then, as I was walking home, I met a girl I knew from school. I proudly showed her what I bought To prove I had a manly tool. She said, “You best...

The flowers were in despair For the rains had failed again The animals were in despair No water to drink anywhere; And the people are desperate The flowers are not blooming The animals are not surviving The crops are non-existent And the children are dying The world...

Treat me kindly sir For I'm only passing through Lay down your rifle Don't aim straight and true I'm sorry if I surprised you With stealth and silent paws But lay down your rifle sir For I'm only passing through. Treat me kindly sir A creature of God's earth Lay down...

When I’m trapped in my own darkness and the walls are closing in; When the fight that I have fought so hard seems hardly worth the win. Then I need Your help to fight it, and I ask You what to do. ‘Come to Me.’ I hear You answer, and I bring it all to You. For I am...

The clown of the dead And it’s evil head Cannot be easily fled So take heed in the winter And the darkest days Never let evilness fill your ways Lest become a clown And take over his craves