The Bridge of Death (poem) by Myles V Saulibio on AuthorsDen

The Bridge of Death
by Myles V Saulibio → (All Poetry by Myles V Saulibio)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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Poetic reflections on the author’s recent journey to Kanchanaburi, Thailand, site of the famous “Bridge over the River Kwai”, a World War II monument.

A thousand mile journey of a lifetime Arriving only to find and feel an empty wind and silence There I hear the crying souls of many, Victims of the torment of jungle heat and brutality, Their oppressors stood nearby Delivering the blows to claim their inhumanity. A historical treasure forever preserved, in the anguished memories drenched by the sun and tears of those unspared. Now adorned and remembered in field of granite stone.Etched with a tribute to a father or a son. One granite stone writes: “…A vacant chair, an empty place, How we miss his loving face…” My eyes are closed, locked into dreams and thinking back--- All this for a bridge of death And 250 miles of railroad 230,000 prisoners, diseased, starved, and no hope. Yet another granite stone writes: “Deep in our hearts his memory is kept” I now join others for the return journey home, But many more are left behind Locked in a time not long ago but so far way Theirs is yet a memory gone unforgotten. To whom do we owe this embrace? Painfully mankind can forgive itself… Copyright © 2007 Myles Saulibio

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Reviewed on July 17, 2007

Myles,

Only one who has been there can truly pen history in painful lines: we are condemned to repeat the past if we do not change NOW. You take us there in excellent, heartbreaking lines.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Kimmy Van Kooten

To whom do we owe this embrace?
Painfully mankind can forgive itself...
I do hope we can...
excellent heartfelt write!
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~

Reviewed by F William Broome

Your pen is going to increase in value as you record the horror of war, and the savagery of the Japanese and Germans during the 1930s and 40s. On August 6, (1945), we OBSERVE the dropping of the atomic bomb by a grateful United States. It saved over 2,500,000 lives, both Allied and Japanese, in an invasion of Japan's mainland.

However, the government and the PEOPLE of Japan today, use August 6th as a day of making America into a villain, who dropped the bomb killing a mere 200,000 Japanese, compared to the 2.5 million in an invasion, had it not been for the bomb. Guilt has a way of putting the blame on the other part. I have little respect for modern day Japan, and am almost warming up to those of Germany. Why do we have so much trouble with National Truth?

Thanks for listening. - Bill

Reviewed by Tiana Jett (Reader)

Only someone who have actually experience something like this, could write with such depth, Myles ... Your eyes have seen many, I know and you take the reader along with you ... A most wonderfully written and moving poem ... God Bless ... aloha - Tiana