Welcome to Remembrance & Reflections Of War


The following poems, written by Tumi Shadows-Echo, are offered as echoes of remembrance, reflections of loss both of life and of those living, and hope for peace.


The Shadow

by Tumi Shadows-Echo

A silhouette of a soldier.
A silhouette of a soldier.

Who is that shadow in my mind?

A gallant figure of another time;

Marching forward brave and bold,

Unprepared for the deathly cold.


Where does he go while I am at play,

It seems not very far away;

Around each corner I always find,

That haunting shadow in my mind.


For every breath of air we breathe,

Are complements of his brave deed;

He brushes my heart as raindrops fall,

But, he cannot feel the rain at all.


Who is that shadow in my mind?

A soldier we will never find;

He lost his battle, but ran the race,

To make our world a safer place.


He warns us all of the wars’ great cost,

And how in reality all sides lost;

Haunting us forever more,

Until there is an end to war.

Heaven To Hell

by Tumi Shadows-Echo

A volcanic eruption on an island.
Sudden eruption of war.

Serenity stretching beyond the far off shore,

Diamond eyes twinkling on the ebony canvas;

A gentle breath of life-giving air blowing over the land,

The shhhh of the leaves on the elegant elm trees;

A warm glow inside, that keeps growing peacefully,

Water lapping at the welcoming shore;

Crickets singing their serenade to the serene world.


Firelights piercing through the black, cold night,

Volcanic explosions spewing out charred remains;

Shrieking, crying, moaning in the charcoal craters,

Rat-tat-tat of the mechanical monsters;

Dark red carpet for as far as the eye can see,

Sirens shrilling calling "Get back in the hole!";

The stench of wasted opportunity in the dying world.

In The Cold

by Tumi Shadows-Echo

Ice crystals in the winds like the coldness of war.
Icy numbness remains.

Frigid cold, warming the heart,

Seething quiet, amidst the storm;

Fleeting glimmer, flaming start,

Icicle stare, steely eyes the norm.


Crystal image, frosted grip,

Stronghold, captured in its flight;

Freezing in, a moment’s dip,

Feeling heat, one last good night.


Only yesterday, a smile shared,

A dream, once a heartbeat away;

Today is gone, wounds are bared,

No hope at all, we’ve lost the way.

Free To Share Respectfully

All original poetry on this site may freely be shared, adapted or used personally, educationally, communally, or commercially, as long as it is done with respect for the subject matter and intent.

Attribution is appreciated; but not required.

Examples of respectful use include:

Educational materials, community events, peace groups, veterans' or advocacy campaigns that honor the human cost of war.

Everyday items like mugs, t-shirts, reusable bags, or other items featuring an image of connection (e.g., a soldier’s silhouette) paired with a line from the poems, such as "For every breath of life we breathe..."

Artistic adaptations, such as music, film, or visual art, that reflect the poems’ spirit of remembrance and peace

May these words help us remember, reflect, and move toward a more humane and peaceful world.

Reflectively,

Tumi Shadows-Echo