Exactly what the entire protest scene in the sixties was trying to say.
Sadly, it seems, sometimes, that as long as people insist upon giving in to greed and prejudice, there will be war.
I know a guy who says wars are natural, good for population control.
I just can't be so...whatever he is. Anyone got a word? All I can think of is the life left behind by those killed to satisfy the emotions of their "leaders", or to satisfy their land lust.
The native people here say that you cannot own things that are eternal, like land, rocks,etc.
Yet people fight each other for wealth or real estate all the time. Very sad.
On the bright side, you wrote of it well, Alan!
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks Angel. I have struggled to get my head straight on how we remember the dead and how we relate.. read moreThanks Angel. I have struggled to get my head straight on how we remember the dead and how we relate it to Bob Dylan's 'masters of war'. On thing is sure I don't think the common man would chose war.
Thanks for your great views on this.
Regards,
Alan
6 Years Ago
Don't mention it, Alan. I am also a huge Dylan fan...his lyrics are to folk music what Lennon/McCart.. read moreDon't mention it, Alan. I am also a huge Dylan fan...his lyrics are to folk music what Lennon/McCartney are to pop/rock.
Very powerful, truthful write. I enjoyed reading that :)
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Many thanks Cimmy. Why does it keep on happening? The common man and woman knows the futility of wa.. read moreMany thanks Cimmy. Why does it keep on happening? The common man and woman knows the futility of war!
All the best,
Alan
Alan,
You are right . . . there are no wars to end wars. Not as long as character and circumstance define history (J. Barzun, historian).
I think I will post a poem that reflects om youth and the Viet Nam war.
Thanks for sharing this.
Tom
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Many thanks Tom. I always find Armistice a difficult event to know how to react to. There are so man.. read moreMany thanks Tom. I always find Armistice a difficult event to know how to react to. There are so many issues around it! hanks for your own thoughts.
Regards,
Alan
Great poem with a great point made at the end. Sadly for all those innocent souls who had to perish due to governments, wars, the deeds others say and they had to act on. While they sit in their Ivory Towers like gutton arseholes that they are.
Posted 5 Years Ago
5 Years Ago
Thanks for reading and your strong words about them men that sit back and watch.
Take care.read moreThanks for reading and your strong words about them men that sit back and watch.
Take care.
Alan
Honoring the dead can be done in word but those words must be coupled with deeds.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
You have made a very important point Cherrie.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Regar.. read moreYou have made a very important point Cherrie.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Regards,
Alan
There can be no sense made out of nonsense.. a great write Alan, apt and most timely... unfortunately, I am not sure the message got across..... Neville
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks Neville. I've always struggled with my feelings about how we celebrate our remembrance of the.. read moreThanks Neville. I've always struggled with my feelings about how we celebrate our remembrance of the war. I 'm uneasy with how it seems to be the establishment and politicians that take the leading role when they tend to be the ones that stay at home while the common peole bear gthe brunt.
6 Years Ago
I think you got the message across much better than many Alan and good on ya... N
I am at a loss, I wish I knew why history repeats itself when we should be learning and growing and finding a way...
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks Ana. Yes, it is hard to comprehend. Sometimes it seems to be evil men who get into power but .. read moreThanks Ana. Yes, it is hard to comprehend. Sometimes it seems to be evil men who get into power but not always.
All the best,
Alan
The centenary of the first war. One must surely swallow hard just to get through this. A commanding read, from the first verse to the last, Alan...and so well articulated. It really was all in vain, wasn't it?
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks Kelly. The thing that I think we must hang on to is that the ordinary folk of this world don.. read moreThanks Kelly. The thing that I think we must hang on to is that the ordinary folk of this world don't want war.
Thanks for your kind comments Kelly
Alan
6 Years Ago
The enormity of your words are striking. I hope I expressed that in reviewing this! You are most we.. read moreThe enormity of your words are striking. I hope I expressed that in reviewing this! You are most welcomed.
I'm sorry to read your message & find how much I was thinking the same thing before reaching your conclusion! War seems to be constant these days, rather than some discrete event that can be made into a "holiday" like Veteran's Day (Nov 11 here). That's why I forget about "celebrating" any past wars . . . I can't even remember all the shootings & bombings we've had in 2018! I love the way you detail things here, especially the second-to-last stanza. This is your usual wry wit I enjoy so much (((HUGS))) Fondly Margie
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks Margie. This topic is one I've always found difficult to sort out my feelings on. On one hand.. read moreThanks Margie. This topic is one I've always found difficult to sort out my feelings on. On one hand we must remember those that died but then we know that the war masters never fight in the trenches. I don't think we will ever learn!
On that happy note - Our first taste of winter here.
All the best ,
Alan
6 Years Ago
This is the time of year when I naturally hibernate, so I'm checking out of news & facebook with our.. read moreThis is the time of year when I naturally hibernate, so I'm checking out of news & facebook with our domestic violence peaking a week before congressional elections! I'll stay in my little paradise & not get hooked on that roiling anger *smile*
Hi Alan, not much learnt in 100 years, although with instant access to all things global there is no chance the youth of today sacrificing themselves, and to be fair, who could blame them for not doing so.
My daughter was born on 11th November 2000, I always refer to her as my armistice child.
A thought provoking, well written piece.
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks for reading and commenting Gee. You would like to think that in the future war might be seen .. read moreThanks for reading and commenting Gee. You would like to think that in the future war might be seen as an aberration but there is no sign of that coming. It is always the common man that is sent to give up his life.
Regards,
Alan
Exactly what the entire protest scene in the sixties was trying to say.
Sadly, it seems, sometimes, that as long as people insist upon giving in to greed and prejudice, there will be war.
I know a guy who says wars are natural, good for population control.
I just can't be so...whatever he is. Anyone got a word? All I can think of is the life left behind by those killed to satisfy the emotions of their "leaders", or to satisfy their land lust.
The native people here say that you cannot own things that are eternal, like land, rocks,etc.
Yet people fight each other for wealth or real estate all the time. Very sad.
On the bright side, you wrote of it well, Alan!
Posted 6 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
6 Years Ago
Thanks Angel. I have struggled to get my head straight on how we remember the dead and how we relate.. read moreThanks Angel. I have struggled to get my head straight on how we remember the dead and how we relate it to Bob Dylan's 'masters of war'. On thing is sure I don't think the common man would chose war.
Thanks for your great views on this.
Regards,
Alan
6 Years Ago
Don't mention it, Alan. I am also a huge Dylan fan...his lyrics are to folk music what Lennon/McCart.. read moreDon't mention it, Alan. I am also a huge Dylan fan...his lyrics are to folk music what Lennon/McCartney are to pop/rock.
Married with three kids, I retired early from teaching physics but have always enjoyed mountains. In my forties I experienced a manic episode which kick-started a creative urge. I've written a novel .. more..