The Old Sergeant: When Your Hero Isn’t Yourself

[Da_Yog]

The Old Sergeant: When Your Hero Isn’t Yourself

 

I heard the old sergeant shout,

“Be brave lads, hold fast!”

And I’ve sweated and prayed—

Until moonlight reflected off hellish gaze.

 

I heard the old sergeant shout,

“Are you men or boys? Charge!”

And seen the other man sweat—

Until cold metal met steely resolve.

 

I heard the old sergeant shout,

“No surrender, lads. No surrender!”

As bayonets glinted and muzzles flashed—

Until will was broken and battle was done.

 

I heard the old sergeant whimper,

“This is it lads; I’m dying!”

While he lay in crimson at my feet—

His eyes straining for control.

 

I heard the wailing of the lads,

“What...What...What’ll we do now?”

As tears streamed over distraught faces—

And faith groped vainly for a new home.

 

I heard the silence of the ever-after,

Wherever that may be,

For I knew not where he was going—

Nor did he.

[Silver WInd]

This remiended me a bit of Kipling, I thought it was well done and I really like the trun it took at the end. I found it was quite gripping, as through the first half of the poem, he is portrayed as such a strong figure, and then the next thing you know, he is dying, and the courage he brought begins to fade with him. I also really liked the rythm, it was almost song like I thought.

[Da_Yog]

It's interesting to me about the responses I get from this poem. Young readers tend to latch onto the first three stanzas and believe the sergeants death is the great tragedy. They also tend to think the poem is better without the last stanza. Older readers tend to latch onto the last three stanzas and reinterpret the poem from a question of faith perspective. I tend to find this quite an intriguing phenomenon and wonder what that says about society. I also wonder if people in other parts of the world react differently than we do here in the US. So if you see this poem in a different light I'd like to hear it.

 

Interesting comments on the rhythm Silver Wind. What I know about composing musical rhythms could fill a thimble. But if this monkey on a keyboard managed to stamp one out...then I guess I did. Thanks for the comments, as always.

[Da_Yog]

And damn you for the Kipling reference. Now I'll have to go refresh my mind on Kipling and read. *stomps off to beat on a Kipling*

[Regel]

I found this had a simple elegance with a powerful message. I enjoyed it very much. I have had heroes when I was young. People I would listen to and respect. I have known people that appeared to have all the confidence and strength to lead others. I am an older reader and the last three stanzas are the pay off. The old sergeant fell in battle and his young charges saw in his death a fear that comes from a mortally wound man in a moment of self doubt that shook their belief structure to their foundation. It is a frightening experience for a young person, the first time you watch some one pass on and yet it is also a bit of a wake up call. It does bring into question your belief structure. I have watched people pass without fear into the next stage quietly without that look you so eloquently described. In that moment you watch in awe in the faith they exhibit. In their moment of grace when they quietly pass to the next life unafraid you rediscover strength in your own belief structure. I hope god grants me that kind of strength, and that kind of faith. I see a definite growth in all the work you have put forth lately Da_Yog.

[Da_Yog]

I found this had a simple elegance with a powerful message. I enjoyed it very much. I have had heroes when I was young. People I would listen to and respect. I have known people that appeared to have all the confidence and strength to lead others. I am an older reader and the last three stanzas are the pay off. The old sergeant fell in battle and his young charges saw in his death a fear that comes from a mortally wound man in a moment of self doubt that shook their belief structure to their foundation. It is a frightening experience for a young person, the first time you watch some one pass on and yet it is also a bit of a wake up call. It does bring into question your belief structure. I have watched people pass without fear into the next stage quietly without that look you so eloquently described. In that moment you watch in awe in the faith they exhibit. In their moment of grace when they quietly pass to the next life unafraid you rediscover strength in your own belief structure. I hope god grants me that kind of strength, and that kind of faith. I see a definite growth in all the work you have put forth lately Da_Yog.

I think that's probably the most eloquently I have seen that stated. Thanks for your interpretation and comments.

[Silver WInd]

And damn you for the Kipling reference. Now I'll have to go refresh my mind on Kipling and read. *stomps off to beat on a Kipling*

Lol, sorry, but I am in the prcoess of reading a collection his work called Ten Years Between and other Poems from History