Listen Close

[michaelgallatin]

It's still and quiet in
the soft, evening light.
Peace reigns over
somber Belleau Wood tonight.

Eerie silence blankets
where soldiers once fell.
But if you listen close,
you will most surely tell.

Floating on the air
hear a plaintive call.
Yet it's not men dying,
no friends, not at all.

From the mouths of ghosts
comes a carol most clear,
words of love that
ring with Christmas cheer.

They put down their guns
and it felt so right
as both sides joined in
singing Silent Night.

Standing tall under
every fir, pine and spruce,
they know that we
should have kept the truce.

And if you believe
that the dead can cry,
you'll see a tear
in every knowing eye.

For these men saw
that war is not the way.
They found a better thing
on that bright Christmas Day.

And if they could do that,
well then we can too.
Listen close to the prayer
that they sing for you.

Michael "All Is Calm" Gallatin

Historical Note - This is not a myth though it may have been embellished a bit. During WWI (December 24 and 25, 1914) there was a truce called between the British and German troops. It occurred it an area near Ypres, Belgium referred to as Belleau Wood. For that short but sweet time there was no fighting, no war. Garth Brooks popularized this in a song called Belleau Wood which I find beautiful though sad. What I can't understand and what I don't think Mr. Brooks does either is if a war stopped once and peace reigned for even a short time, why do "we" have to return to the battle? May we find peace!

[purplespirit]

You wrapped this historical fact into a mantle of love and understanding, pity that not many of us like to dress up with this mantle piece (at least so it seems). Your question "why do we then return to the battle?" is certainly asked by millions. We may often say a prayer - so lets also LISTEN to that prayer! Precious poem Mike, thank you. Wishing you light for each day! Ulla xx

[michaelgallatin]

Thank you my dear friend! The love I can see, understanding is a little more confused. I'm so glad that even for only two days soldiers could stop fighting and find peace. But it makes me profoundly sad that, as Mr. Brooks says at the end of his song, "the battlefield where Heaven stood was blown to Hell again". But I am glad that you got something out of this poem.

Bless you,
Mike

[johan]

Yep and they played a game of football! great piece Michael as always.

Andrew

[michaelgallatin]

By "football" I take it to mean what Americans call soccer. And I find that a bit interesting and funny. Justin and his Marine buddies got a game going with the British troops. This was in Kuwait just before they moved into Iraq and took Baghdad from Saddam Hussein. The Americans won, no offense intended as England is a great soccer-playing country. It's so sad Andrew that soldiers are really forced to fight, required by crazy countries to go to war and maybe even die. Against Hitler, maybe even Hussein, I suppose it makes some sense but many times war is senseless. And if "we" can find peace once, well, why not for always my friend, why not?

God bless you,
Mike

[rustybroadspear]

bad apples Mike - one in a bowl - many in a tree - hundreds in an orchard - and in the world??
Enjoyed the poem and know the story well .............. true and very sad .........

[michaelgallatin]

Thanks! And yes, I can see how someone can look at it that way and easily reach the conclusion that much evil abounds in this world. And likely that person would be right. I often feel that way myself. But my friend, Sam, and many others believe God created man "in His image" and gave him a choice to pick good or evil. Also, if you use the one in a bowl and so on theory, what of all the good apples that far outweigh the bad? Why can't "we" just see what's so obviously right and the best way to go for all concerned and act upon that!

God help us,
Mike