Wednesday, November 11, 2015

DMC: "War-Torn" by M. H. Barnes




WAR-TORN

Taste of grit, sweat, survival.
Smell of smoke, blood, and fear.
In a pocket of silence
you stayed by my side
on a bad day gone horribly wrong.

© 2015 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.


This poem was inspired by former Army Captain William Swenson:



With thanks to those who have served and sacrificed with honor.
           -MHB


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rebecca M. Davis has challenged us to write poems about acts of kindness this month– the more specific and vivid the better.  Click HERE for more details.

Send your poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com, or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, November 27th, and one lucky participant will win copies of two delightful picture books published by Boyds Mills Press: THIS ORQ. (HE CAVE BOY.) and THIS ORQ. (HE SAY "UGH!") by David Elliott, illustrated by Lori Nichols.





17 comments:

  1. A lovely, sad, and poignant poem for the occasion, Michelle. 💜

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Teresa (and for the heart that came out as questionmarks too). I certainly got teary conducting my research.

      Delete
    2. wonderful and so sad

      Delete
  2. Through tears, it's bittersweet to meet Capt. William Swenson.

    Appreciations on all days, to good soldiers.

    And to you, Michelle, for "War-Torn."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For this Medal of Honor recipient, the day was never about honor, it was about loss; nor was his role about leadership, it was about service. Appreciations for your comment, Jan.

      Delete
  3. Teary eyed here. This was so vivid and reminded me of my uncle who was a POW. Thanks for writing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh wow, Robyn. And my mother-in-law was a Holocaust survivor... it's astounding what people can endure. <3

      Delete
  4. Thank you for posting this today, Michelle.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow. What a perfect poem for today. Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just being there by someone is everything, isn't it? Beautifully shown, Michelle. Thank you for this on this special day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a beautiful tribute, Michelle. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I appreciate the kind words, Linda and Renée.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a beautiful tribute to the kindness of brotherhood. Thanks for sharing Michelle.. Now I must go and cry ..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it's the good kind of cry, Janie. Thanks for your thoughtful words.

      Delete