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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: The Media (in any form) (11/11/10)
WAR
Bold headline
Splashes across the top
Of the newspaper
Like soldiers’ blood
Spilling on foreign soil
One small word
Offering a clear call for
Courage
Sacrifice
Nobility

From this headline
You cannot see
Young men and women
Marching into an inferno of danger
Their jagged wounds
Broken Limbs
Lifeless bodies
Like fresh flowers plucked
Without the opportunity
To come to full bloom

Nor can you see
The tears of their
Loved ones
The sleepless nights
Spent in worry and prayer
Soldiers’ families and friends
Waiting and watching
For any word

You cannot hear in the headline
The sound of bombs that blast
A path of destruction
Gunfire exploding in all directions
Screams of pain
Of the wounded
Just as you cannot observe
The stench of the battlefield

No matter the size of the headline
That one word WAR
Does not reveal
Homesickness discomfort desperation
Sadness at loss of buddies
Nor does it show growth
Of comradeship and character
And Faith in God that flourishes
In darkest days
Like a green garden grows
In sunshine and rain

When comes the headline
VICTORY
The soldier patriots who return
Carry scars of survival
And scalding memories
Without end
For that single headline
WAR
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This article has been read 1221 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Francy Judge 
11/19/10
A very powerful and meaningful poem. I like how your last verses echoed the first.
Anita van der Elst
11/20/10
I'm not usually into poetry so can't speak with any wisdom on its merits other than the fact that it is very forthright with the scenes it describes.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/20/10
This really tugged on my heartstrings. Once again I'm reminded to pray for those in service and their families as well as saying a sincere thank you for their sacrifices.
Caitlyn Meissner
11/22/10
I like how you made the point that words can't describe what really goes on in a war. I thought this was great. Good job!
Lollie Hofer 
11/24/10
Your imagery was real, strong, visual. I like the flow of the poem as well. It had depth to it, but at the same time, it wasn't too deep to understand. Great balance.
Amanda Brogan
11/24/10
Whoa. This is a very eloquent tribute to our fallen soldiers. We don't see all that really goes on between the headlines.

Very well-written!
Carol Penhorwood 
11/25/10
Powerful and painful. Vivid, thoughtful descriptions of what goes on behind those headlines. Another gem from your pen.
Henry Clemmons
11/25/10
WOW. Very bold!!!!!!!! I love this a lot. It just wakes me up and forces me to pay attention. Very skillful and anointed! You'd get a ribbon from me.
Beth LaBuff 
11/26/10
The media falls short as this poem so exquisitely shows. Beautiful and excellent, Verna!