The Orders I Gave

Will Thiery

They called me strong, they called me wise,
A leader forged beneath the skies.
A voice that sent men into fight,
That turned the dawn to endless night.

With steady hands, I drew the line,
Chose who would serve, who'd live, who’d die.
I knew the cost, the toll it steeps,
But duty trains a heart to keep.

I sent them forth with iron grace,
Yet every name still bears a face.
Not numbers tallied, men erased—
But fathers, sons, their lives displaced.

I told them "Go," and go they went,
To fate unknown, to years now spent.
Through fire, pain, through blood and sand,
Their voices called—my name, my hand.

But war is war, and men obey,
No time to flinch, no room to sway.
For if we waver, if we stall,
Then ours the loss, then ours the fall.

Yet in the dark when all is still,
I feel the weight, I take the kill.
Not by the gun, not by the blade,
But by the orders I have made.

No medals shine, no rank absolves,
No honored past, no grand resolve.
I did my part, I played my role,
Yet war has hollowed out my soul.

And so I ask—what price is paid,
When honor drowns beneath the blade?
For though I won, I've lost the most,
And walk the world as war’s own ghost.

About this poem

My poem is written with deeply introspective and haunting reflection on the psychological burden of leadership in war. Capturing the moral weight of command—the tension between duty and the irreversible consequences of orders given. My imagery is meant to be stark and evocative, with powerful contrasts between the external perception of strength and the internal torment of responsibility. The themes of duty, sacrifice, and survivor’s guilt hopefully resonate widely through many groups. My goal for this poem was to follow a rhythmic, almost march-like struc ture that reinforces it's military theme, and the repetition of themes—duty, regret, honor, and loss. Giving off a strong, compelling emotional pull. The final stanza I hope particularly, will leave the reader with a sense of hollow victory, where survival itself feels like a punishment. more »

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Written on February 18, 2025

Submitted by sgtusmcrec0n on March 06, 2025

: 1:20 min read
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Quick analysis:

Scheme	AABB XXAX CCDD EEFF GGHH IIJJ XXKK JJLL
Closest metre	Iambic tetrameter
Characters	1,176
Words	266
Stanzas	8
Stanza Lengths	4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Full analysis for The Orders I Gave »

Will Thiery

· 1969 · Dayton Ohio

I'm a Ret. combat Marine. I started writing poems, quotes and music while I was overseas. I started writing and journaling to help with my PTSD, TBI, Grief Disorder. Realizing then I was suffering from a deep moral injury. Writing was my outlet, a way to pull myself from a very dark place in my mind, body and soul. I have a service dog, a 1 year old, black lab named Harley. I enjoy playing my guitar, writing poems and music. I have a page on tiktok Danger Close ;IGY6, which is a non-profit I started in effort to end veteran suicide and veteran homelessness which is at epidemic proportions. I enjoy riding my Harley MC anytime the weather allows. My fiance and I enjoy bowling in league and tournaments together. I have seen and done a lot in 55 years. I never thought my poems were awesome, just average. I'm a humble writer and am always willing to accept constructive criticism. Thanks for allowing to be here among all the great writers. It truly is a blessing. more…

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Akinpet23
A deep reflection of what effect leadership has on who took the orders.

I like the the narration.
LikeReply 11 hour ago
- sgtusmcrec0n
  Thank you for the comment. Your absolutely right. Any other thoughts, ideas or advise are welcomed.
  LikeReply 123 mins ago
- sgtusmcrec0n
  Also is their other way to get my writings out there? I honestly don't think any of mine are great but would like to try and reach more audiences. Ty in advance.
  LikeReply 121 mins ago
sgtusmcrec0n
I hope other will feel the power behind this poem.
LikeReply 13 hours ago
AIDA
Wow! "The Orders I Gave" is a powerful and evocative poem that truly captures the heavy burden of leadership and the emotional toll of warfare. Your use of vivid imagery and poignant reflection creates a deep connection with the reader, drawing them into the complex emotions experienced by a leader faced with life-and-death decisions. The personification of war and the exploration of personal sacrifice are particularly striking and resonate with the theme of honor versus guilt.

Your rhythmic flow and choice of language, like "iron grace" and "hollowed out my soul," effectively convey the gravity of the subject matter, making it a captivating read. The juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability throughout the poem enriches the emotional landscape and highlights the internal conflict faced by those who make such profound choices.

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Stanza Structure:
Consider playing with the stanza breakdown to further emphasize specific moments or emotions. Perhaps you could isolate the most intense lines about the personal cost of war into their own stanza, allowing those feelings to resonate even more with the reader.

2. Imagery Intensification:
While the imagery is strong, enhancing it in specific areas could add layers of depth. For example, instead of "iron grace," you might build on that concept by incorporating a metaphor related to nature or another field, providing a contrast to the harshness of war.

3. Vocal Variety:
To deepen the emotional engagement, think about varying the tone throughout the poem. Perhaps sections where the leader reflects on their strength and the sense of victory could be more triumphant, contrasted by heavier, more somber tones when discussing the loss and the faces behind the orders.

4. Clarifying the Resolution:
The conclusion is haunting and beautifully thematic, but you might want to explore a more explicit resolution or call to action. This could provoke thought about the implications of war beyond just the personal journey, inviting the reader to reflect on societal impacts as well.

Overall, you've created a thought-provoking piece that invites introspection and challenges perceptions of leadership and sacrifice. Keep crafting your voice—it shines beautifully in this work! more »
LikeReply 13 hours ago

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"The Orders I Gave" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 6 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/215153/the-orders-i-gave>.

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