War Poems

War Poems

Sad Poetry about War

Almost as long as there has been life, war has been a part of it. Mankind continues to wage war even though the consequences often breed nothing but misery. However, when a person is called to defend his or her country, or protect other defenseless people, it is his duty to fight. There is no question that there is evil in the world and we must not rest on our laurels and say it is none of our business. We cannot stand by and watch while others are being persecuted. It is the duty of mankind to uphold justice.

51 Powerful Poems about War

1 - 20 of 51

  1. 1. The Hero

    Famous Poem


    'Jack fell as he'd have wished,' the mother said,
    And folded up the letter that she'd read.
    'The Colonel writes so nicely.' Something broke
    In the tired voice that quavered to a choke.

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    • Stories 0
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    • Votes 16
    • Rating 4.75
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  3. 2. The Charge Of The Light Brigade

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    Half a league, half a league,
    Half a league onward,
    All in the valley of Death
    Rode the six hundred.

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    • Favorited 24
    • Votes 286
    • Rating 4.38
    • Poem of the Day
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  5. 3. Suicide In The Trenches

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    I knew a simple soldier boy
    Who grinned at life in empty joy,
    Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
    And whistled early with the lark.

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 93
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 13
    • Rating 4.31
  6. 4. An Irish Airman Foresees His Death

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    I know that I shall meet my fate
    Somewhere among the clouds above;
    Those that I fight I do not hate,
    Those that I guard I do not love;

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 699
    • Favorited 4
    • Votes 130
    • Rating 4.23
    • Poem of the Day
  7. 5. The Man He Killed

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    Had he and I but met
    By some old ancient inn,
    We should have set us down to wet
    Right many a nipperkin!

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 821
    • Favorited 7
    • Votes 172
    • Rating 3.97
    • Poem of the Day
  8. 6. The Star-Spangled Banner

    Famous Poem

    • By Francis Scott Key

    O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
    What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
    Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
    O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 65
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 7
    • Rating 3.86
  9. 7. Beat! Beat! Drums!

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    Beat! beat! drums!—blow! bugles! blow!
    Through the windows—through doors—burst like a ruthless force,
    Into the solemn church, and scatter the congregation,
    Into the school where the scholar is studying,

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 213
    • Favorited 5
    • Votes 43
    • Rating 3.74
  10. 8. Does It Matter?

    Famous Poem

    Does it matter?—losing your leg? . . .
    For people will always be kind,
    And you need not show that you mind
    When the others come in after hunting

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 46
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 9
    • Rating 3.33
  11. 9. A Mother's Tear

    • By Amy Peterson
    • Published by Family Friend Poems June 2014 with permission of the Author.

    There's more to the story,
    than what just appears.
    A war written story,
    from blood and from tears.

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    • Stories 6
    • Shares 5349
    • Favorited 17
    • Votes 942
    • Rating 4.55
    Featured Shared Story

    Definitely it has touched my heart. Not mine, but on each reader's minds, this poem has created a very emotional ache. It is about freedom, fight, love and pain. And this poem describes...

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  12. 10. For A Soldier

    • By Alisha
    • Published by Family Friend Poems January 2009 with permission of the Author.

    When you wake up in the morning or stay up nights on end,
    Know that your sister is here till the very end.
    When you gather your equipment and grasp your gun,
    Know that you're loved, brother, uncle, son.

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    • Stories 14
    • Shares 2124
    • Favorited 19
    • Votes 768
    • Rating 4.51
    Featured Shared Story

    My brother left when I was 10 years old, and I didn't know what life had in store for me. A few months after my grandma died from lung cancer, he left. Some people don't know what it feels...

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  13. 11. If I Don't Make It Home

    • By Jodi M. Kucera
    • Published by Family Friend Poems October 2019 with permission of the Author.

    If I don't make it home, please remember it wasn't because I didn't try.
    The last thing I wanted was to make you cry.

    I wanted more than anything to make it back to you,

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    • Stories 1
    • Shares 3188
    • Favorited 23
    • Votes 495
    • Rating 4.50
    Featured Shared Story

    This was a beautiful poem about the plight of all the men and women who sacrifice their lives daily for our freedom. The families and friends they leave behind for the love and cost for...

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  14. 12. A Soldier

    • By Brionna C
    • Published by Family Friend Poems March 2015 with permission of the Author.

    He says he's leaving.
    He'll be gone about a year.
    He's headed off to fight the war,
    And his time is drawing near.

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    • Stories 12
    • Shares 4907
    • Favorited 61
    • Votes 1363
    • Rating 4.48
    Featured Shared Story

    My fiancee is in the Air Force (pilot), currently in Israel. He was supposed to come home in April, after being there a year. But he was offered a promotion last minute. He decided to take it...

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  15. 13. Clutches

    • By Hunter J. Fowler
    • Published by Family Friend Poems July 2016 with permission of the Author.

    There's a little boy standing by the fence with a flag in his hand.
    He's sad and confused; he doesn't understand.
    He watches his daddy turn and head up on the bus.
    He watches him go and doesn't even fuss.

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    • Stories 3
    • Shares 2016
    • Favorited 12
    • Votes 574
    • Rating 4.47
    Featured Shared Story

    This poem was beautifully delivered. Every word you wrote created a picture in my head. Well done.

  16. 14. My Brother

    • By Amanda L. Thurnherr
    • Published by Family Friend Poems September 2006 with permission of the Author.

    You've been there for me
    Through it all.
    You're always there to catch me
    When I start to take a fall.

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    • Stories 6
    • Shares 671
    • Favorited 12
    • Votes 513
    • Rating 4.47
    Featured Shared Story

    I know how you feel, I do share the same thing but they're are still my brothers regardless of what they do. I'll still love them no matter what.

    I will wish you and your brother good luck...

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  17. 15. Words Not Spoken

    • By Beatrice Boyle
    • Published by Family Friend Poems May 2006 with permission of the Author.

    Although he could not say with words
    The love he felt inside,
    He treasured every moment
    And his heart would fill with pride.

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    • Stories 8
    • Shares 1221
    • Favorited 14
    • Votes 885
    • Rating 4.46
    Featured Shared Story

    I cried!! Many families find it hard to say those most important 3 little words.

  18. 16. Soldier Daddy

    • By Gina M. Makowsky
    • Published by Family Friend Poems February 2006 with permission of the Author.

    To you, I may be very small
    Or think I don't know much at all.
    I've learned to grow up rather fast
    With so much future and not much past.

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    • Stories 10
    • Shares 1315
    • Favorited 19
    • Votes 1201
    • Rating 4.45
    Featured Shared Story

    Such a touching poem. I love it so much, because of it, I am now doing it to present to my class. ??

  19. 17. The Life Of A Soldier

    • By Jodi M. Kucera
    • Published by Family Friend Poems May 2018 with permission of the Author.

    We have an understanding, you and I.
    We sit in silence; nothing needs to be said.

    I know the weight you carry.

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 3003
    • Favorited 17
    • Votes 316
    • Rating 4.45
  20. 18. Defeat

    Blood starts drippin' from the soldier's wound
    Seeps like sewage 'neath the politician's room

    Deep in the house, white fades to red

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    • Stories 1
    • Shares 1702
    • Favorited 9
    • Votes 307
    • Rating 4.44
    Featured Shared Story

    Very nice poetry. I am overwhelmed. The poet is great who understand teary and hearty feelings of the people towards our great soldiers.

  21. 19. My Son

    • By Theresa Kackley
    • Published by Family Friend Poems December 2008 with permission of the Author.

    He stands tall
    He stands proud
    In a foreign country
    Among a foreign crowd

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    • Stories 5
    • Shares 945
    • Favorited 11
    • Votes 314
    • Rating 4.44
    Featured Shared Story

    Best poem I've read since I've been on the group. You are very close to my style and War is something I've been close enough to write about. Really moving poem you have written here and clear...

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  22. 20. A Mother's Wish

    • By Mary Hodges
    • Published by Family Friend Poems September 2008 with permission of the Author.

    My darling, words cannot say
    How proud I am of you today.
    You're beautiful, courageous, good, and strong.
    Taking up the cause to right the wrongs

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    • Stories 1
    • Shares 526
    • Favorited 7
    • Votes 215
    • Rating 4.43
    Featured Shared Story

    This poem has risen my emotions, i have shed tears as i scrolled down the lines. However thank you for reminding me of my fallen soldier brother, Simbwa, who died of multiple injuries just...

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1 - 20 of 51

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