Brave Robert
A Cautionary Tale56 total reviews
Comment from Spitfire
An impressive background to this, Tony. I like the beginning where he cried as a boy and his parents hushed him. That taught him the sad lesson -- a character arc here. I'm glad to see that stereotype is changing now.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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An impressive background to this, Tony. I like the beginning where he cried as a boy and his parents hushed him. That taught him the sad lesson -- a character arc here. I'm glad to see that stereotype is changing now.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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Thanks, Spitfire, for your empathetic response and kind words. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from vfbryant
This is a very powerful piece, especially when coupled with the author notes. I love the way you take us through the evolution of Robert's beliefs about his emotions, and how learning the lesson that men don't cry gave him no outlet for his grief. My grandfather served in France during WWI, and your father has my deepest appreciation and respect. Very well-written story.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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This is a very powerful piece, especially when coupled with the author notes. I love the way you take us through the evolution of Robert's beliefs about his emotions, and how learning the lesson that men don't cry gave him no outlet for his grief. My grandfather served in France during WWI, and your father has my deepest appreciation and respect. Very well-written story.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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Thanks, VFB, for your empathetic response, kind words and six stars. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from Drew Delaney
I love how you wrote how natural a child is brought up with his frailties and sins, and then to be sent to war and try to be the brave one. Now, he was drowned, I am taking as not literal. Did he drown his sorrows in alcohol?
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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I love how you wrote how natural a child is brought up with his frailties and sins, and then to be sent to war and try to be the brave one. Now, he was drowned, I am taking as not literal. Did he drown his sorrows in alcohol?
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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The intention was just that he drowned internally in the tears that would not be released, or that he became a broken man. Alcohol is sometimes a refuge under such circumstances but that was not what I was thinking about.
Comment from pattipac
Your well penned narrative poem tells the sad tale of what the horrors of war can do to men, who answer their country's call to fight its wars.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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Your well penned narrative poem tells the sad tale of what the horrors of war can do to men, who answer their country's call to fight its wars.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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Thanks, Pattipac, for your empathetic response, kind words and six stars. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from ElPoetry001
Excellent
I like your story as it portrays, in a subtle way, that men have emotions too, and holding them in is bad school, for guilt does not build, but drains away any positive recollection of a sad day; better is the memory of the man who saw it all, and cried, and said out loud for all: "War is the Devil's playground where good men fight each other, for disputes that can be settled without death; yet, we will not cry out that death is not what man is about; it is life and I cry for all who will follow this path, for it does not favor man, it is the Devil's playground.
I liked the way your narrative marched forward with the subtle cadence of honor, glory, and no self pity; yet the inner cry exists, even though a true emotion displayed is often the sign of weakness; and yet Christ wept.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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Excellent
I like your story as it portrays, in a subtle way, that men have emotions too, and holding them in is bad school, for guilt does not build, but drains away any positive recollection of a sad day; better is the memory of the man who saw it all, and cried, and said out loud for all: "War is the Devil's playground where good men fight each other, for disputes that can be settled without death; yet, we will not cry out that death is not what man is about; it is life and I cry for all who will follow this path, for it does not favor man, it is the Devil's playground.
I liked the way your narrative marched forward with the subtle cadence of honor, glory, and no self pity; yet the inner cry exists, even though a true emotion displayed is often the sign of weakness; and yet Christ wept.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2014
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Thanks, ELPoetry, for your empathetic response, kind words and six stars. Much appreciated. I also appreciated your comments putting my poem into a Christian context. Best wishes, Tony.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Most men just want to forget about the war. The experiences they had are theirs to keep. This is a very nice poem Tony.
I don't agree with the statement real men don't cry. I like men who are able to show their emotions. It's bad to lock them inside. Like this one who drowned in his tears. Well done! Nancy
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Most men just want to forget about the war. The experiences they had are theirs to keep. This is a very nice poem Tony.
I don't agree with the statement real men don't cry. I like men who are able to show their emotions. It's bad to lock them inside. Like this one who drowned in his tears. Well done! Nancy
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Thanks, Nancy. Thankfully, the attitude expressed about real men not shedding tears is much less prevalent than it was in those days.
Comment from bard owl
Holding in feelings can be deadly, especially when doing so is a reflection of others rather than yourself. Your sad story of Robert is a lesson to be learned by all who read this. Too often men in particular to expected to "buck up" and hide their emotions away. Excellent imagery. The rhythm and rhyme were flawless making this a very smooth read. Blessings, Linda
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Holding in feelings can be deadly, especially when doing so is a reflection of others rather than yourself. Your sad story of Robert is a lesson to be learned by all who read this. Too often men in particular to expected to "buck up" and hide their emotions away. Excellent imagery. The rhythm and rhyme were flawless making this a very smooth read. Blessings, Linda
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Many thanks for your sensitive and complimentary review, Linda. Much appreciated. Tony
Comment from HAREEDS
A very emotional war poem about going to war and the aftermath. A lot of boys have it installed into them that crying is a sign of weakness by their Dad. What they must have gone through in the trenches of World War I would've brought tears to the eyes of even the most stern of individuals. A well constructed war poem that at the end conveys the reality of war.
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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A very emotional war poem about going to war and the aftermath. A lot of boys have it installed into them that crying is a sign of weakness by their Dad. What they must have gone through in the trenches of World War I would've brought tears to the eyes of even the most stern of individuals. A well constructed war poem that at the end conveys the reality of war.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Thanks, Hareeds. You are absolutely right, I think.
Comment from Pili Pubul
An astounding poem, written in great style, powerful story .
I love how you describe the exiting of " playing " war". Most little boys do...
and then the horrendous reality of what real war is about. Powerful.
Thank you for the Author notes, your Father was a hero, but the trauma is inside.... Thank you. Pili
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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An astounding poem, written in great style, powerful story .
I love how you describe the exiting of " playing " war". Most little boys do...
and then the horrendous reality of what real war is about. Powerful.
Thank you for the Author notes, your Father was a hero, but the trauma is inside.... Thank you. Pili
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Such a lovely review, Pili; so sensitive and kind. Much appreciated, as are the six stars accompanying it. Best wishes, Tony
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You are so welcome. Pili
Comment from rjuselius
this is an important social commentary and a fine piece of poetic art! from children to adults to old age, they all suffer as much in war. especially the young who have to kill.
war is a horrible ordeal.
thank you for shairng!
rebekka x
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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this is an important social commentary and a fine piece of poetic art! from children to adults to old age, they all suffer as much in war. especially the young who have to kill.
war is a horrible ordeal.
thank you for shairng!
rebekka x
Comment Written 17-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2014
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Thank you, Rebekka. I appreciate your review and comments. Best wishes, Tony