The Letters

He sends his letters home
to a son he'll never see -
dreams of honouring him
with his sacrifices.

From landing through climax
the fight takes all your breath,
through mud and cave and shell,
through fire and steel and deaths

always the deaths that rip
the core from bright Nippon
as inch by sodden inch
the ground is lost or won.

And at the very last
when the foe is close at hand,
the sounds of screaming men
drown out his last commands

when eye stares into eye
and strangers share their fates,
only one thing left to do -
send blessing to your mates

then select a second
to ensure your final act
comes to a fulfillment,
then slice open your gut.

And dream again of sons
of honour gained, face saved.

I'm off to Japan this summer and really looking forward to it.   The samurai code, the love of nation and emperor, the sense of superiority  - totally alien to the british of course - is of great interest.   I enjoyed the poem , presumably about Okinawa or similar and the attempt to get inside the japanese mind.    I think its only a small step from here to the suicide bomber.  Good tight poem Mike - thanks for the read.

With two great uncles lost in WW1, and my dad with 4 stars from WW11 who was in the thick of it, I am especially touched by this poem.  Well done and thank you for sharing.

Best wishes
Ruth