I remember it like yesterday,
25 years since.
The sun danced as I played monkey like
among the dappled leaves of the tree.
Carefree
A cloudless blue sky,the kind where staring too long
would allow your imagination to swim.
In the distance bubbles of happiness would erupt
from the bottles of fun that toyed on the park swings,
parents sat nearby
basking, talking, joking, jesting
pleasure awake in the summer air.

My old army shirt, a 2 bit top,
good for rough and tumble,
donning the German flag,
thought nothing of.

The world became deaf, or I to the world.
The sounds and heat at once disappeared
as I met this man's gaze.
This old veteran, stock still, frozen in time.

Nothing else mattered just then.

His beret shadowed face forged from years of
experience in the field
medals abreast his still immaculate uniform
wearing his brothers arms

But his eyes
Deep grey, full of sadness
they bore my soul
I was shamed to see the pain in those eyes
filled with such sorrow I could have drowned.
Echo's of the past prominent within
Cries, screams and anguish
Memories of the past thundered into me
From 2 seconds of looking
Into the sadness that reigned there.

I know when our stares locked
He remembered it like yesterday
He never knew their names
I never knew his
May they always be remembered

Very deep write....

This does indeed hit home to me on so many levels indeed.

Yes a deep but very beautiful write..

wars are fought and ended, but the casualties remain forever more.
such an intense write, and memory. love this write. x x

Thought this should co
me back to life, all our boys and girls who need help to come home

Please please remember our children who are fighting. They will need us to come home.

always.

As you have so aptly expressed, nothing short of death will end the emotional labor of war.....This reads like a beautiful painting.......

true, very true.
keep it up, dear.

Beautifully written and very inspiring! Thank you

Bumping this, watched something that brought it all back