Poem by: J.R. Geiger
Genre: War and Military
Honorable Mention
5-7-5 Poem Contest Entry, November 15, 2025
A 5-7-5 follows the structure of a Haiku but without any limitation to the topic. While a Senryu, is primarily concerned with human nature. A Haiku, primarily concerned with physical nature. A 5-7-5 poem is a free form with the only limitation being the syllable count.
Dying screams echo
Battle cries haunt the still mind
Phantoms never rest
© Copyright 2026 J.R. Geiger. All rights reserved.
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This poem is hauntingly good
so concise and yet riveting
it speaks loudly in a whisper and invites the reader in to not sip tea but to every pain, every sorrow ,every loss and then ask themselves why ?
This is the kind of poem that can be used to teach descriptive writing, the kind of poem that allows the imagination to soar and then rest and then question everything
no one wins in a war and some battles leave more than physical scars they leave permanent pain and dull aches
really good
Author
Reply
Again, I'm humbled and honored my writing has garnered you attention and worthy of your kind words.
Thank you SO much!
This is haunting. I have a friend who is retired special forces with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has said little of his service, with only an occasional, almost accidental, reference. That is up and until we were on horseback for two days together working on planting birds for a dog club. It was on day two many miles, birds and saddle leather later that he suddenly and explicitly spoke of a military mission he was involved in.
Your writing rocked me right back to that incident as I wondered then, and still do, what that man holds inside.
Your writing is in fact haunting and truthful. Your words elicit so much from the reader.
Pam
Author
Reply
Thank you for your kind words and for listening to your friend without judgement.
James
Howdy,
I love Haikus.
Most poignant!!!
First, deep thanks fro protecting and defending us!!! My heart goes out to you!!!
I belong to a military network in southern Maine, though I'm not military, I've family and friends who were. But this network is to help vets and their families connect with resources. Suicide prevention is my high concern.
However, due to my ever worsening arthritis, I've not been able to be as active as in the beginning.
If there's on thing I regret, it's not asking my dad about his service. People never spoke about military experiences when I was growing up. It wasn't until Viet Nam, and I believe some movies that forced soldier experiences/trauma, and neglect to the surface, that opened up avenues.
I hope whatever you've known, you're able to heal from.
My tribune, in The Vision, as well as one of my main characters, Ian, is a story about surviving military/war trauma.
I wish you the best--happy writing!!! E. :) :)
Dr.Elara1966