The Unknown Soldier - Poetry Links The Ages

In 1998, online poet Allen Jesson wrote "The Unknown Soldier", which was dedicated to, not unsurprisingly, the unknown soldier. The irony is that more and more soldiers in Iraq are now using poetry to express their heartfelt feelings to their loved ones back home. The story seems to have come full circle as they are using Allen's web-site; A Gift of Poetry, to express their innermost feelings.

(PRWEB) November 10, 2004 -- Just as World War I saw soldiers sitting in muddy trenches scribbling poems on dog eared scraps of paper, soldiers are once again turning to poetry to express their innermost feelings.

But this is 2004, and although the sound of battle might be the same, the modern soldier has access to the Internet and the unique services on offer. As a consequence, online poet, Allen Jesson has noticed a significant increase for his unique brand of gift poetry. His web-site, A Gift of Poetry, is now attracting over 10,000 visitors per day and is one of the top 50,000 web-sites in the world. A remarkable achievement for what was, up until only recently, a one man band".

Allen goes onto to say: The power of poetry is enormous. Im not sure whether its the rhythm, the rhyme or something spiritual, but we are certainly creating an emotional bridge from war torn Iraq to loved ones back home".

Its very much a collaborative process. Soldiers simply tell me what they would like to say and I convert those thoughts and feelings into meaningful verse. We work through the drafts until they are completely satisfied. We then present their poem, gift boxed, in a beautiful hand made card and deliver it to anywhere in the world. Of course, this is an ideal gift for Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries but Im also doing a lot of repair" work. I have noticed an increasing level of tension, as the stress of battle and extended periods of absence start to take their toll on the soldiers relationships. Hopefully, I have helped to strengthen a few marriages along the way."

And for the record, this is the poem that was written on November 11th, 1998, which is basically a conversation between the poet, Allen Jesson and the unknown soldier:

The Unknown Soldier

The unknown soldier,

I'm sorry, I don't know your name.

How do you handle your stardom ?

Cope with anonymous fame ?

We owe you so much,

have so much to be thankful for,

you gave your life for us,

fighting someone else's bloody war.

And I try to picture you,

teenaged and full of spirit,

I don't believe you would have questioned,

the war, and why you was in it.

So you would have said farewell,

to your family, maybe a friend,

never thought about not coming back,

didn't imagine your journey's end.

You went straight into battle.

Blood, guts, shells, gas and noise.

Just can't imagine the destruction,

caused by the distant generals' toys.

You were struck your mortal blow,

I can see you bloody and dying,

maybe thinking of your loved ones,

maybe even crying.

Maybe you would have been scared,

maybe glad your war was done.

But your pride and spirit wouldn't have faltered,

to the end you were your country's son.

Because you knew what you was fighting for,

back when men were truly men,

and despite the horrors that you endured,

without hesitation, you would do it all again.

I look at the world you fought for,

(with the benefit of hindsight).

I question the worthy sacrifice,

would I send my sons to fight ?

And after searching my soul,

I find the answer deep within.

Liberty is worth dying for,

without freedom, you can never begin.

And you have been dead many long years,

your glory is moving to history past.

But I know your legend will live on,

I know your unknown name will last.

Copyright Allen Jesson :) 1998

www.agiftofpoetry.com

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