All Comments on 'They did not grow old'

How appropriate that you should publish this in the week of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. I attended our local Rememberance Day service on Sunday, and was moved, as I always am, by the dignity of the small band of veterans who attended. Older, some with walking sticks, some in wheelchairs, their pride in their achievements all those years ago was evident. Who would have thought that seventy odd years after the end of WW2, there would be yet another war being waged on European soil. Have we learned nothing from the sacrifice readily given all those years ago?

I second that

You continue to inspire and broaden my mind ❤️💋

This is a beautiful poem, that brought reflection to my mind, warmth in my heart and tears in my eyes.

Oh my, you really have the gift!

`thank you so much, my darling June ❤️💋❤️💋

Thank you so much Olwen - it seems we refuse, as a species, to learn xxxxx

Thank you Cleeve xx

What you do to me.

I read this and cried. Unlike many in the US today I come from a military family, my father served in Korea and Vietnam. My step grandfather went fought in WW1 and although his body was not damaged his soul died in France. We marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War we took a family trip to the US National WW1 Memorial in KC, even my young daughter cried at the poppy fields exhibit, and at the replicas of the trenches but more the waste and stupidity of it all. We tried to explain to her what happened and why, but frankly I don't think we knew. "They needed a time out" was her only reply. Time past, then we met the broken father whose only child died after being in Iraq only 5 days. They boy just wanted to go to college, to strike out on his own, and serve his country. We were picnicked with the father's support group and met the parents of a daughter who was killed in a Blue on Blue attack in Afghanistan, she was a nurse helping young women with their pregnancies. They said she died with a smile on her face, you see the young nurse had just successfully turned a breach baby and saved both the mother and child before a coward shot her down for doing just that. Screaming God is Great. The truth is, he is, she proved it, even the young boy proved it by sacrificing for others to try and bring peace. God may be great but we are not, we are petty, cruel, mean-spirited creatures who claw and scrape for scraps. But if we try, we try and carry on for them, try to be better, for them, so there will not be so many of them in the future. Your poem makes me cry but still, there is love, and through that, hope.

This was very moving. Very much so.

Beautifully poignant remembrance. “They gave their todays for our tomorrows” — I like the rephrasing you give to John Maxwell Edmunds’s poignant sentiment especially when coupled with your last line: “I wonder what they would have made of what we have done with it?” Amanda Gorman, a very talented young poet who shared a powerful poem she wrote at last year’s inauguration of the US President; she asked what will today’s young generation make of the errors my generation made/the problems we created. Speaking to us now: “… our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation? Our blunders become their burdens” And speaking to the younger generation: “… it’s the past we step into and how we repair it”. Is that not a point you wish to make? What we make of what was left for us is a profound responsibility.

To those once loyal now wreathed in crimson

Solemn reminder of silent sacrifice

To the once loyal forever wrapped in glory

In white crossed acres - lines of sorrow laid

(Those once loyal, Boltthrower)

Thank you, Cindy, I really appreciate what you say xxxxx

So very beautiful Pixie, so touching.

Thank you, MsDirector xxxxx

That was very moving, MamaS - and yes, what we have, all we have, is faith, and to try, as we can, to live up to it xxxxx

Thank you, DarkRaven xxxxx

Thank you, Migbird, and yes, that is precisely the point. Can we, in our turn repair? Or at least avoid further blunders which lead to the deaths of so many?

Thank you, Sumi xxxxx

Thank you Claire xxxxx

A fitting remembrance for all veterans. Excellent poem.

Well, Pixie, you've left this old soldier with a lump in his throat. Your poem is lovely and touching. It's sad that each year in this country, Remembrance Day is about the only time people give any consideration to the military. Many other countries treat their veterans with honour at all times. Kipling summed it up well:

Oh it's Tommy this an' Tommy that an' chuck 'im out the brute,

But it's saviour of 'is country when th guns begin to shoot...

Thank you, Pixie.

Thank you Wheablist x

Thank you Maonaigh - Kipling was, alas, right xxxxx

They would be so confused as to how this world has been changed. Well written Pixie. Made me think of my father and grandfather that both served in WWII.

Thank you for this, Pixie.

A touching and inspiring reminder:

We have an obligation, too….

Thank you Vince - yes, I am sure they would sometimes wonder what had become of the world they fought to save

Thank you, Paul xxxxx

My thanks to those of you who voted for this in the best non-erotic poetry category, it won the award for 2022

https://literotica.com/s/literotica-readers-choice-awards-winners-2022?page=2

Your words... Thank you.

Thank you so much xxxxx

You're an amazing poet! Congratulations on the win(s)!

Thank you so much, Jackie - and on your win too xxxxx

When in the course of my life

My days get shorter still

I hope my dreams and expectations

Come together to my progeny fill

Thank you x

this made me cry...in a good and sad way

Thank you so much, Amalinda xxxxx

🏅 ⭐ Pixie Wins 🏅 ⭐

Dear Pixie,

Congratulations 🎉 Pixie for winning 🎇 Literotica's Writer'🖋️ 🖊️ award 🏆 for this lovely 😍🌹 poem.

Your the best Pixie in all you do.

v/r

Anonymous

Thank you, Jeff xxxxx

wonderful

Thank you, Melissa xxxxx

It's Beautiful,,, Yes!

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Hallo Pixie!

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Congratulations this is truly a beautiful poem, it deserves to win! 🏆

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The Black Queen 👩🏿 and Gay kat 👩🏼‍!

💋 💋 💋

Thank you so much, Gay Kat and Black Queen 💕💕

Thank you.

Thank you x

That's a fantastic piece. Not only do I like your theme, which is uniquely appealing, but I find your word placement particularly unusual and refreshing. This is refined and masterful with a thought-provoking conclusion. Congrats on your win.

Thank you so much, DampKitten xxxxx