Verdun, 1917 by Felix Vallotton.
Shifting waves of gas
choke us
we fight
our boots heavy with mud
dug in
cold sodden great coats
weigh us down
but we do not despair
defiant beneath leaden grey skies
snow flurries cover
our lost comrades
we will be the victors
our bravery shines bright
as suns rays through the clouds.
11/11/12 KD
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21 February – 18 December 1916
(9 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)Location Verdun-sur-Meuse, France Result French victory
(9 months, 3 weeks and 6 days)Location Verdun-sur-Meuse, France Result French victory
courtesy of Wikipedia
Over 700,000 souls lost over one of the worst battles of the First World War.
Go over to The Mag at Tess's to read the others
You described it so well.
ReplyDeleteSnow flurry's and sun- great contrasts and congruence.Thanks.
ReplyDeletesnow covering comrades bodies-
ReplyDeleteexcellent capture of those times.
I often think about how incredibly heavy those coats must have been...in addition to the despair...
ReplyDeleteAppropriate, well said!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us...wow what a horrendous thing
ReplyDeleteWander
Well written, but I do think there was an awful lot of despair.
ReplyDeleteSo full of faith, I'm grateful to find it here!
ReplyDeleteDoes wonders on the imagery side! Lest we forget. Nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteWe must never forget the sacrifice those brave men made.
ReplyDeleteMadelief
You captured this so well. Excellent.
ReplyDelete=)
The poem fits the picture and the conflicting feelings of war so well. Well done!
ReplyDeleteVery touching Kay, and a lovely tribute to all those brave men.Love Linda x
ReplyDeletethank you all...xx
ReplyDeleteWords of hope - thank you.
ReplyDeleteSometimes hope is all there is in the battle arena...
Anna :o]