Private Willie Mc Bride
10 October, 2007
Author: Bipedalguy
Rows of white headstones, at least forty four,
Each row with sixty headstones or more.
So many young soldiers who'll never come home,
nearly three thousand in this field alone.
In hundreds of fields throughout Belgium and France
White headstones stand and red poppies dance.
Some volunteered and some were conscripted.
Such obscene carnage was never predicted.
A headstone stands over young Willie McBride.
It shows he was only nineteen when he died.
One of hundreds of thousands who died for the cause,
He did his part in this war to end wars.
Though his family's loss was certainly sad,
Willie lost everyone and all that he had.
Now all he has left is a stone with his name.
For most of these headstones the story's the same.
Though all of this happened nine decades ago,
If you have any doubt that it's really so,
Consider the fields of Belgium and France
Where headstones still stand and poppies still dance.
------- Author's Notes -------
Eric Bogle's song, "The Green Fields of France" inspired me to write this poem. |
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Comments on this poem/writing:
| mental (66.153.164.151) -- Thursday, October 18 2007, 11:38 pm bipedalguy thanks for your concern |
| Bipedalguy (75.67.182.104) -- Monday, October 22 2007, 05:44 am I hope you do well. Good health to you. |
| Terrie* (67.187.237.233) -- Friday, October 26 2007, 11:53 pm Bipe, this is a sad ,but...by far a wonderful write. written by a carin', compassionate heart. thank you for sharin and bearin' your hearts soul...God Bless/have a pleasant weekend! |
| Bipedalguy (75.67.182.104) -- Sunday, October 28 2007, 05:24 am Thanks for reading this and for your kind comments. This is indeed a sad poem about a sad story. When I wrote it, I had just heard the song "The Green Fields of France" which was sung by a group called "The Merry Wives of Windsor". The lead singer (female) conveyed a sense of compassion, and it really reached me. A Russian leader once said "When a soldier loses his life, it's a tragedy. When a million lose their lives it's a statistic". We tend to forget the tragedy that a single headstone represents when there are so many thousands of headstones. Have a nice remainder of the weekend, and God Bless you. |
| shiloh (66.24.112.118) -- Saturday, November 10 2007, 08:31 am I think that you have made a good effort in a strong voice in what you have written, and that is why you should continue to write in your serious vein... you do very well in that. this poem shows it, and it also shows the dignity and respect for those who sleep in foreign lands, having given their all in their service. peace... hank |
| Bipedalguy (75.67.182.104) -- Sunday, November 11 2007, 07:06 am In the past I have done Limericks, mostly non-serious. This sad poem is my first write in a few months. I have strong feelings about the subject. I appreciate your interest and encouragement and that you take it seriously. Thanks. Don |
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