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Poem
July 2, 1951
Trainman News
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
What is this article about?
A U.S. soldier in Korea, PFC John M. Siler, pens a reflective poem on a day's watch, expressing fear of night, morning prayer for strength, longing for home half a world away, and questioning why wars recur despite past lessons.
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Full Text
Half a World Away
31
PFC Siler, in Korea with Army Railway Battalion, is a member of Lodge 575, Richmond, Ind. and worked for the Pennsy before entering service.
By PFC John M. Siler
The watch has been long, cold, dark and quiet,
It is good to welcome the death of night.
After those hours of uncertainty and fear
Another day is actually here.
The night has ended; the dawn is gray,
And I am half a world away.
The sun appears and climbs on high,
And I lift my eyes toward the sky
And worship God in the morning light,
And pray for courage and strength to fight,
And if His will to hasten the day,
When I won't be half a world away.
I tell myself that all's well and good,
And things are going as they should.
That the little fellows are all behaving,
Tho none of this will ease the craving,
It helps me on from day to day,
While I am half a world away.
It matters naught how hard I try,.
I cannot see the reason why -
When something new the tyrant tries,
It's we who utter battle cries,
And save the world for another day,
With a lot of us half a world away.
Our fathers fought just as bravely as we
And sailed our ships on many a sea.
But why must it happen again and again,
If the sword is so weak, when compared with the pen?
Can't it be handled in such a way
That we won't have to perish half a world away?
The sun is now setting. night is near.
Soon I'll return to that world of fear:
That world of fear that comes by night
And makes even the strong tremble with fright.
Soon it will be finished, I hope and I pray,
Then I'll no longer be half a world away.
31
PFC Siler, in Korea with Army Railway Battalion, is a member of Lodge 575, Richmond, Ind. and worked for the Pennsy before entering service.
By PFC John M. Siler
The watch has been long, cold, dark and quiet,
It is good to welcome the death of night.
After those hours of uncertainty and fear
Another day is actually here.
The night has ended; the dawn is gray,
And I am half a world away.
The sun appears and climbs on high,
And I lift my eyes toward the sky
And worship God in the morning light,
And pray for courage and strength to fight,
And if His will to hasten the day,
When I won't be half a world away.
I tell myself that all's well and good,
And things are going as they should.
That the little fellows are all behaving,
Tho none of this will ease the craving,
It helps me on from day to day,
While I am half a world away.
It matters naught how hard I try,.
I cannot see the reason why -
When something new the tyrant tries,
It's we who utter battle cries,
And save the world for another day,
With a lot of us half a world away.
Our fathers fought just as bravely as we
And sailed our ships on many a sea.
But why must it happen again and again,
If the sword is so weak, when compared with the pen?
Can't it be handled in such a way
That we won't have to perish half a world away?
The sun is now setting. night is near.
Soon I'll return to that world of fear:
That world of fear that comes by night
And makes even the strong tremble with fright.
Soon it will be finished, I hope and I pray,
Then I'll no longer be half a world away.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Religious Faith
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Korea War
Soldier Reflection
Homesickness
Prayer
Military Duty
What entities or persons were involved?
By Pfc John M. Siler
Poem Details
Title
Half A World Away
Author
By Pfc John M. Siler
Subject
Soldier In Korea
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
The Night Has Ended; The Dawn Is Gray,
And I Am Half A World Away.
And Pray For Courage And Strength To Fight,
When I Won't Be Half A World Away.
Then I'll No Longer Be Half A World Away.