Flowers of Glory - rewrite

[manfredvijars]

Flowers of Glory - rewrite
© Manfred Vijars – March 2007

Flowers of Glory, in fields of green
Row upon row, whitest I've seen
Harvests from battle - plucked in their prime
 ... well before time.

Flowers of Glory, ranks holding fast
Side-drum staccato – slow-marching past
Brothers in battle bonded by blood
 … unending flood

      Bullies may roar and the despots may rage
      huffing and puffing upon the World's stage
      and offer their finest as cruel sacrifice.
      Common folks ultimately pay the price.

Flowers of Glory rows upon rows
Held in the bosoms of our former foes
resting, at peace esteemed and embraced
 ... anger erased   

     Deadly engagement – solution’s deceit! 
     See what remains after conflict’s retreat
     Honour in tatters our Kings stultify
     but history `oft shows how misdeeds multiply.

Flowers of Glory, in fields of green
row upon row, purest I've seen
Battalions of harvest plucked from each side
 ... who stems the tide
    ... who stems the tide
       ... who?
---

[heyu]

A beautiful poem Manfred

Both you and Bernie never cease to amaze with the depth of your humanity,
a quality that is sadly lacking in today's selfish society.  I was watching some American actresses on the TV and they all seemed so false and shallow, I couldn't help thinking of "The portrait of Dorian Grey".  Their only interest is self image, a trend that appears to be modern society's driving force.

great write mate


heyu

[manfredvijars]

... thanks Pete ... if you re-read the piece you may notice that it's been re-written. I sometimes fall into the trap of posting before editing ... 

Thanks for your kind words.

Manfred.

[zondrae]

Manfred,

This piece has the feel of a song rather than  a spoken piece. I can almost hear a waltz.  I don't know why. Maybe it is the repetative lines? I appreciate the different patten or line length and construction. I really like to see someone using something other than the usual four line stanzas. The sentiment...along the lines of 'Frankie Goes To Hollywood', 'War - uuh, What is it Good For' a pop song of the 80s,  crossed with 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone.', 'Peter Paul & Mary' a protest song of the early 60s.

I'm working on 'The House', I'll get back to you shortly.

[therese]

lovely manfred.  it reads very much like a song, any plans to put it to music?

[tomchap]

Great sentiments and work Manfred. Therese's comments prompted me to set some music for it. Is there some way I can attach a .pdf or sound file here. Otherwise I will set up a page on my web site and advise the link address.

Thanks & cheers

Tom Chapman

[manfredvijars]

Hi Tom, Therese and Zondrae  ...
This piece was actually re-written as lyrics and I have the music also.

Thank you,

Manfred.