“The walking dead visited us
in life! They were ghosts living
and breathing. We could not know!”

--------------------------------

Ghosts of War

The ghosts lived
they breathed
We spoke their names
in the dead of night
they spoke to me
alive they breathe
another day

We had lived
and shared life
We fought beside them
to stand behind
the enemy lines
not for victory
but to stay alive

They were silent
and still was the dark
We spoke before death
could venture forth
claim them in the light
to celebrate their life
We only knew this breath

We walked away
so long ago
now the ghosts speak
only to the dead
only happy today
for tomorrow they lay
in the cold ground

We too were ghosts
on this battlefield
we fought together
and we were brave
and strong
We stood our ground

But today the ghosts
spoke to me
and I walked away
chilled and cold
A dead man
whispering of peace
to the ghosts of war

© D. E. Clark