Hearts and Minds
Heart Sculpture made of Metal Cogs and Wheels
History of this Poem
This poem reflects the anguish and futility of war, pin-pointing one character, his losses and his thoughts. Finally the Grim Reaper fetches him and gives him peace, at the same time urging man to value peace itself.
Hearts and Minds – a Poem
Open-hearted, bless his heart,
Every word heard played its part.
In a heartbeat he did cry
at the cruel hearts passing by.
Heart in mouth and heart in boots,
he watched as war destroyed his roots.
His Parents
His mother said ‘follow your heart’
as she lay bleeding, torn apart
by those bullets slicing by,
while those cold hearts bombed the sky.
His heart bled, not understanding
why men fought, devil commanding.
Tried to reason, with all his heart;
couldn’t hack it, couldn’t start
to see what drove those who deceive,
whose eyes don’t see, so hearts don’t grieve.
He’d learnt by heart what parents told him,
how to value all around him.
His Love
He’d lost his heart to one so fair,
she whom he carried ‘gainst the glare
of enemy fire, limp-bodied, gone
where hearts and minds found peace, at one
with her dear God. How could it be
that he allowed the world to see
this carnage wild? Action causing
man to lose heart, without pausing.
His Decision
He should’ve fought, that’s what they said,
‘How d’you rest easy in your bed?’
He didn’t rest, his heart was broken,
he’d rather that he hadn’t woken.
Follow his heart? That’s what he’d do.
Only one thing left, he knew.
He took to heart their words of stone.
When he arose the life he’d known
would soon be done, he’d set his heart on
proving war futile, lost or won.
He stood out in the heart of bloodshed,
took the bullets, gladly dead.
The Reaper
That last day when all was lost,
I watched him fall, then he was tossed
into the mass-grave that awaited.
It touched my heart, the gun-fire grated
‘gainst my nerves. When silence came
I took him home from whence he came.
I can’t judge, I gather souls,
when their bodies, full of holes,
release them, so then I deliver
to a land where sits the giver.
I, the Reaper, place together
souls of silk and souls of leather,
souls who wanted peace on earth.
Do they know just what it’s worth?
Hearts and minds must work together,
forging peace and love -for ever.
Author’s Notes
If you enjoyed Hearts and Minds and would like to read more from this author see Ann Carr on The Creative Exiles.
https://www.creativeexiles.com/author/ann/
You can also read more works by Ann Carr on Hubpages.
https://www.hubpages.com/@annart
‘Take a Word…’ by Ann Carr is a self-publication of stories and poems, designed to encourage others to write creatively, to project their own voice, even create their own words. ISBN: 9798754336476
I'm a member of HubPages (hubpages.com/@annart) which has helped me hone my writing skills.I have published an anthology of stories and poems on the subject of 'words', entitled 'Take a Word!', designed to encourage writers to stretch their boundaries when choosing words.
It's exciting to be a part of a community which has the same passion for writing.
- All for the Love of a Lady - September 11, 2024
- Playing Cat and Mouse – a Short Story - February 5, 2024
- The Ravenscar Raven - January 23, 2024
I’m looking forward to reading your comments; I always welcome feedback, as long as it’s polite!