Stand To

A silent witness crests the hill
where bloody rain once fell.

The sob and clubbing fractured now –
hearts beat on distant shores

where brothers wait with shaking hands
to charge into the dawn.

Across the Sea of Helle they came,
from many different ports,

to lay down cold on foreign stone,
enlisted on some other front.

Flags hang low and I am borne
by a bugle’s mournful calling,

as first light joins eternal flame
“stand to!” cleaves the morning.

Ryan Stone

image


Comments

8 responses to “Stand To”

  1. I always find your use of verbs so imaginative and interesting. I need to take a leaf out of your book. Having a battle cry “cleave” the morning is just perfect for this scenario! ๐Ÿ˜Š

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Yusra ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  2. moonskittles Avatar
    moonskittles

    A honorable tribute, fit for those that sacrifice . My dad was a military doctor for many years, and now my brother is a kryptologist with the army.. Thank God they are both alive and well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Dajena. I spent a few years in the Army myself and appreciate the many sacrifices that have been made to allow us the life we live.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. moonskittles Avatar
        moonskittles

        Great! you gained more points! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  3. What a wordsmith you are โค

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Too kind, Nat. Thank you so much – just what I needed today ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a Reply