I Spoke to you in Whispers

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……

No photo description available.

Comments

23 responses to “I Spoke to you in Whispers”

  1. David Guy Avatar
    David Guy

    So very sad. War is an abomination.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Cathleen E Heise Avatar
    Cathleen E Heise

    The horror & tenderness of this poem are palpable. I can’t stop crying with it’s beauty.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I’m with you on being very moved by this poem. Thanks for commenting.

      Like

  3. Michele Lee Avatar

    A beautiful poem of honoring and remembering our four-legged heroes. Thank you for sharing, Anne.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Michele. I think these horse heroes deserve recognition.

      Like

  4. Emma Cownie Avatar

    The painting and the poem bought tears to my eyes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      It is a very moving poem. Always brings a tear to my eyes too Emma. Thanks for leaving a comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      You are most welcome. It is a beautiful poem and it always brings a tear to my eye. Thanks for commenting.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lesley Avatar
        Lesley

        It was a pleasure, Anne.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. shankjoejoe Avatar

    Beautiful! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

      1. shankjoejoe Avatar

        You’re welcome, Anne.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. J.W.S. Avatar

    Very heart touching.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Yes it gets every time I read it.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Deepak Sharma Avatar

    beautiful and heart touching, loved it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you for leaving this comment Deepak💕

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Alli Farkas Avatar

    I have seen this before, but I still have to go wipe my eyes and blow my nose. 😭💕

    Liked by 1 person

  10. susiesopinions Avatar

    We will remember those we lost including their 4 legged heroes 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Susie.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. The Backyard Horse Blog Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      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.

      Like

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