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Poetry

An outlet for players whose creativity extends beyond the board. Post your original works here!

The posting of song lyrics is not the purpose of this board and as such please refrain from doing so. Exceptions can be made to this rule if you are the copyrighted owner of the lyrics and the lyrics are not found offensive by the majority of the population.
This board is a place to post your original works of poetry and prose and also a place for discussion of poetry and related areas.

We have received word from Fencer that other's poetry can be posted to this board. These are the two conditions:
1) When someone posts a known copyrighted poem, he must add the author's name as well
2) If the author is not known, the poem can be posted without problems

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16. Septembre 2005, 23:34:47

The Listener

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Sujet: Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman

       - Prologue-

Walking through the city after recent rain
heard ancient stones all shining murmur where are they?
How long before next hero's day
and the splendid show of drum and gun.

Walking by the river one September eve
saw questions rise in circles on that old dark stream.
Where now are those who dared to dream they would leave one jewel in England's hand.

Gone to sleep they lie in flowered graves
for the visitors and Guidebook saved.
But come the trumpet shattered dawn
will the spirit they shared be reborn.

Comrades in arms, may they rise, fight and shine again,
till "who goes there", will be answered with friend again.

Once there stood a man, alone, sword in his hand.
In the face of the teeth and flame -
and it was all in England's name.

I was told how she grew, she alone shone her light on everyone.
And if you made the first eleven then you'd be sure to get to heaven,
like the captain of the school.

I was taught how to win
and to lose with that "get you next time" smile,
Learned Latin verbs in fear of a beating
and for years thought central heating,
was for just old people's homes.
I was raised on the past, the Tower and Saint Paul's and Westminster
escorted well-bred girls to dances, and learned to drive a horse in harness,
through the English countryside.

I was taught to behave, like an officer and a gentleman,
and when I finally marched from Sandhurst
I learned to put my fellow man first
and there was daily talk of war.
I spent 1938 in the United States of America,
I grew to love its many faces, and they had built some amazing places,
and I thought they´d come in on our side.

       - Love at first sight -

Girls, oh there were girls
but they were just part of the social whirl
and I never took much notice
until the night that I met you.

Standing out there alone
out on the terrace under the moon
from the moment that I kissed you
my life turned into a dream.

I knew I loved you at first sight
and that you loved .. me.
Was it really happening, or was it a dream ?

I asked if you'd be mine
feeding the white doves by the Serpentine and when you said forever
I know that I almost cried.

You all in white
the tears and the laughing
nearly losing the damn ring
Yes, I do ... Yes, I will... keep you from harm.

Those few short days
we spent together
remembered forever
all the plans - for the house and for the children.

I know I loved you at first sight
and that you loved..me.
Did it really happen then, or was it a dream ?

I knew when I saw your face
opening orders, the time and the place
oh, don't worry it won't last long
and I won't be far away
I'll try to write every day.....

       - Letters from the front -

Got your letters at the front today
if you like the house we´ll buy it straight away.
Yes, it´s great now you´re a full-time nurse
but do be careful with the air-raids - getting worse.

Must end now .. the push is on...we´re moving out...
all my love...see you soon.

I'm writing to you on a convoy moving west
it's hell out here but we´re all trying to do our best.
I learned today that I get two weeks leave in June
this time I promise you a real honeymoon.

Must end now...take care my love...you're all the world
to me my love...see you soon.

The telegram...dropped from my hand
she was all I had...I just don't understand
I see her now...in that white dress she wore
Those eyes and that smile
no one else...nevermore.

Decorations and respect inside the club aren't compensation when you lose the one you love.
But in the end, all that is left
Is the regiment and what it means
to be...an officer and a gentleman...

            -- Peter Sinfield