Soldier
Cramped in that funneled hole,
disabled by time, by war, by fate.
Six o’clock in street and stair, I stay
the world still turns, yet I just wait.
I saw his round mouth’s crimson fade,
a soldier’s dream turned elegy.
Red lips are not so red as blood
nor songs as bright as they should be.
O world of many worlds, you turn—
yet has your soul sipped sorrow’s glass?
On seeing a piece of our artillery fire,
I know the music of things that pass.
From my diary, a line remains
a ceremony of days carved in stone.
Happiness—futility entwined,
a roundel sung for those now gone.
Inspection comes, the schoolmistress writes,
“Smile, smile, smile,” though hearts are torn.
Greater love hath none than this,
yet Christian in me—bruised, war-worn.
Mental cases haunt my mind,
their insensibility dull, yet whole.
Still, the hospital tents are full,
and decorum est pro… whose soul?
Soldier
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
Leave a comment