When I go into the night
Will not follow the bright light
No matter where the road leads
Instead, will be a ghost
Instead of haunting houses
Will haunt the universe
When death is the eternity
Do not see the rush
For any certain path
The Call
I saw a call for submissions
For an anthology
About World War Two
How can I write about
Something I do not know
Nose does not know the smells
Of rotten decaying flowers
In deaths unfolding bouquet
Nor wisps and cloud of weapons
Hung in the air suspended
Eyes cannot see or focus
The real horror all around
Branded on brain and hidden
That pictures do not show
Ears do not hear
Echoes of raining shells
Or the wind of passing bullets
Do not hear the trumpets
Of my goods friends
Screaming and moaning
Wishing for the pain
To go away or death
Lips do not know thirst
While the hungry stomach calls
While waiting in a hole
Crouching half-defeated
Skin does not feel
Frozen toes and fingers
Bite like deadly sharks
In some rain-soaked trench
Clothes do not feel
Dirty and soaking wet
Like rays of cold and wind
I do not wish or dream
For a dry place for the night
Feet do not feel soles
Blistered and broken
Sock less with worn out boots
Across the battered paths
With every obstacle
Still moving forward
Day by day, inch by inch
Side by side with friends
While the hearts walks with
The steps of lost brothers
They say they are not heroes
That may by well and true
Thought they are better men
Then I will ever be
No matter how many
Photographs or movies
You see about the Great War
It is not like being there
And it will never be
My pen will never know
The Draw
If the world ended tomorrow
There would be no need
For sorrow
Work makes us fell important
Though a disguise
It is just a chore
Seems the long straw
Would be more
Read Label
Please follow directions
On this label
Take medicine at least
Once a day
Chapter from novel
Passages of poetry
Or other arts
Please avoid
The following
Your television set
See librarian or bookstore
For refills
Label Poem
Would this poem fit
On a label
If it does
I hope this little verse
Will fill your heart
Like a giant poster
Of your favorite smile
Then wash away
Any lonely tears
In life’s river
At least for a while
Little Words
Words of any size
Are large in statue
If they send you places
You always longed for
Like journeys or paths
Not encountered before
Take a direction
That transforms you
To fresh worlds hold
Let it mend the heart
Then heal the mind
Lighting candles in life
As your stroll the roads
Between the lines
Always wished to walk
Denny E. Marshall
