Taken
We who are left behind do not know, taste and smell the real horrors of war. It is relayed to us. We see it in those who return. Occasionally, at times like Anzac Day, we are given a rare gift of empathy with those affected by war. We are somehow taken into their experience. We are also taken to a place of raw emotion ourselves.
Taken
(i)
They were taken
By a cause
By ‘the Services’
To the front.
They were taken
And some
Were never given back.
(ii)
Some returned,
Some with spirits broken,
An innocence in them
Taken away.
As we think on them
We are taken
By their courage and sacrifice.
We are taken
By their pain
Their listless, wistful
Half-lived life.
(iii)
At memorial services
We are taken
As the hymns play
And we are taken
Somewhere deep within.
Where we hear:
Whistling shells,
The crack of guns,
And booms of cannons,
And drones of aircraft fly by.
The sound hits upon us
Like a torrent of rushing waters
And we feel as if we
Are taken
Under,
Drowning in a sea of war.
(iv)
At Dawn Services
We are taken
In the silence before the dawn
By the solemn flying over
Of planes in peace time,
Like sentinels,
Guarding our ritual remembrance.
We are taken by their care.
Simon C.J Falk 25/26 April 2015
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This is a really strong impressive piece! I am truly taken by it, I adore writings that forces you to stop, think and reflect and this does that. Thank your for sharing. Have a great day.
Thanks Melanie. Glad you liked it. It certainly took me when I had the experiences and write them down.