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.

46 Powerful Poems about War

1 - 20 of 46

  1. 1. 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 33
    • Favorited 0
    • Votes 2
    • Rating 5.00
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  3. 2. The Charge Of The Light Brigade

    Famous Poem

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

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 2101
    • Favorited 24
    • Votes 269
    • Rating 4.37
    • Poem of the Day
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  5. 3. The Man He Killed

    Famous Poem

    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 677
    • Favorited 6
    • Votes 158
    • Rating 3.94
  6. 4. Beat! Beat! Drums!

    Famous Poem

    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 174
    • Favorited 5
    • Votes 39
    • Rating 3.62
  7. 5. 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 5178
    • Favorited 15
    • Votes 911
    • Rating 4.57
    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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  8. 6. 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 2063
    • Favorited 19
    • Votes 761
    • 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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  9. 7. 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 3053
    • Favorited 21
    • Votes 491
    • Rating 4.49
    • Poem of the Day
    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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  10. 8. 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 4739
    • Favorited 60
    • Votes 1348
    • 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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  11. 9. 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 1981
    • Favorited 12
    • Votes 568
    • Rating 4.47
    Featured Shared Story

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

  12. 10. 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 589
    • Favorited 11
    • Votes 500
    • Rating 4.47
    • Poem of the Day
    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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  13. 11. 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 1197
    • Favorited 14
    • Votes 883
    • Rating 4.46
    Featured Shared Story

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

  14. 12. 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 1283
    • Favorited 19
    • Votes 1194
    • 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. ??

  15. 13. 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 2913
    • Favorited 16
    • Votes 310
    • Rating 4.45
  16. 14. 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 509
    • Favorited 7
    • Votes 213
    • Rating 4.44
    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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  17. 15. 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 932
    • Favorited 11
    • Votes 309
    • 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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  18. 16. 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 1650
    • Favorited 8
    • Votes 299
    • 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.

  19. 17. Veterans Day Limerick

    • By Neil Dickinson
    • Published by Family Friend Poems May 2014 with permission of the Author.

    There are times we want to forget,
    Like when troubles and sadness we've met,
    But this day in November
    We'll always remember

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    • Stories 1
    • Shares 1103
    • Favorited 7
    • Votes 204
    • Rating 4.29
    Featured Shared Story

    So many in my family went to war. And most came back. I am lucky and want to recognize all the people who have lost their lives to protect you.

  20. 18. 1914-1918 War

    • By Laura J Sanders
    • Published by Family Friend Poems November 2021 with permission of the Author.

    They sacrificed their lives, entered the gates of hell,
    Onward they stumbled, while all around them fell,
    War weary, ragged, faces dirt encrusted, black.
    Impatient for the whistle, ready for attack.

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 353
    • Favorited 4
    • Votes 27
    • Rating 4.74
  21. 19. PTSD Is Real

    • By Randall W. West
    • Published by Family Friend Poems May 13, 2022 with permission of the Author.

    Behold the aging soldier. He's grown longer in the tooth.
    He wears the scars of battle that had squandered all his youth.
    Although his war has ended, he finds much to his dismay.
    The demons that now haunt him just don't seem to go away.

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    • Stories 0
    • Shares 168
    • Favorited 3
    • Votes 26
    • Rating 4.73
  22. 20. The Last Letter

    • By James Clark Jr
    • Published by Family Friend Poems October 2012 with permission of the Author.

    A tear ran down her cheek
    As she read the words he wrote
    His dad sat at the table
    With a lump in his throat

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    • Stories 1
    • Shares 3597
    • Favorited 39
    • Votes 1138
    • Rating 4.57
    Featured Shared Story

    My parents, my 22 yr old son, my husband, my 4 siblings, my sister's daughter and her son who grew up with my parents and is like a brother just passed 10 days ago.

    When my son passed...

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1 - 20 of 46

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