This poem by Neil Andrew is my offering today in Remembrance of the horses who served and died in World War 1.
I spoke to you in whispers
As shells made the ground beneath us quake
We both trembled in that crater
A toxic muddy bloody lake
I spoke to you and pulled your ears
To try and quell your fearful eye
As bullets whizzed through the raindrops
And we watched the men around us die
I spoke to you in stable tones
A quiet tranquil voice
At least I volunteered to fight
You didn’t get to make the choice
I spoke to you of old times
Perhaps you went before the plough
And pulled the haycart from the meadow
Far from where we’re dying now
I spoke to you of grooming
Of when the ploughman made you shine
Not the shrapnel wounds and bleeding flanks
Mane filled with mud and wire and grime
I spoke to you of courage
As gas filled the Flanders air
Watched you struggle in the mud
Harness acting like a snare
I spoke to you of peaceful fields
Grazing beneath a setting sun
Time to rest your torn and tired body
Your working day is done
I spoke to you of promises
If from this maelstrom I survive
By pen and prose and poetry
I’ll keep your sacrifice alive
I spoke to you of legacy
For when this hellish time is through
All those who hauled or charged or carried
Will be regarded heroes too
I spoke to you in dulcet tones
Your eye told me you understood
As I squeezed my trigger to bring you peace
The the only way I could
And I spoke to you in whispers……
HorseAddict 
The horror & tenderness of this poem are palpable. I can’t stop crying with it’s beauty.
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I’m with you on being very moved by this poem. Thanks for commenting.
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A beautiful poem of honoring and remembering our four-legged heroes. Thank you for sharing, Anne.
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Thank you Michele. I think these horse heroes deserve recognition.
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The painting and the poem bought tears to my eyes.
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It is a very moving poem. Always brings a tear to my eyes too Emma. Thanks for leaving a comment.
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I always think of the horses, and other animals, that went to war at the side of humans and it’s poems such as this that remind me never to take their service for granted. This poem is so beautifully written and I have a big lump in my throat now.
Thank you for sharing, Anne, and reminding us of the service animals have been to us.
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You are most welcome. It is a beautiful poem and it always brings a tear to my eye. Thanks for commenting.
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It was a pleasure, Anne.
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Beautiful! 😊
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Thanks Joe.
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You’re welcome, Anne.
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Very heart touching.
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Yes it gets every time I read it.
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beautiful and heart touching, loved it!
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Thank you for leaving this comment Deepak💕
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I have seen this before, but I still have to go wipe my eyes and blow my nose. 😭💕
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Me too Alli.
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We will remember those we lost including their 4 legged heroes 🙏
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Thank you Susie.
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Absolutely heart wrenching. I think of my own horses when I read about the history of horses in war and feel really distressed. As painful as it is to contemplate, I also think looking reality in the face is very important in order to understand and value their lives and contributions. Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
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IT is heartrending , especially for those of us who have horses in our own lives. I want to share remembrances of the horses who served as a tribute to them , both to the famous war horses and the unknown horse soldiers who also served and sacrificed their lives like this poor soul.
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