War

For whom do we all rise each day

with what do we gain happiness

For ourselves the masses say

though this is folly with sadness

 

The marching soldiers who had gone

our children who pranced to war

Had carried our hopes and love on

would die to please us never-more

 

No more the laughter to our ears

left forever the taste of dirt

As ground belayed the sound of cheers

and feelings of others pride hurt

 

In a moment the lonely sound

fell heavy on every mans ear

As the truth echoed from the ground

even the boldest shook to hear

 

For then the songs all ceased to play

we looked to sky and then to friend

They felt there nothing left to say

for woe had summoned this the end

 

Author's Note

Will we never stop beating the drums of war ? Only to pave the streets of conquest with the souls of children. I wrote this after attending the funeral of a friends dear child. You know goodness has a sound to it. It is the laughter of children Who play unafraid in the streets of a town. Lacking that we have failed to secure anything. Goodness is not what we won't do. Nor some question of whom we exclude. It is the unselfish act of humanity. That sees ourselves in those we include.

Reviews

[S. Georgia]

This poem especially spoke to be because of the subject matter, its a very delicate subject; war and how senseless it is. But it also spoke to me because my father's been in and out since about '01 in the past war and was finally discharged (thank goodness he's still alive) this year because of an injury (and a few previous ones). I think that all wars especially the present one can wear the mask of altruism and 'we're just going to help' but there's always a hidden motive which makes the loss of life completely meaningless.

"No more the laughter to our ears
left forever the taste of dirt
As ground belayed the sound of cheers
and feelings of others pride hurt"
I thought the above line was especially beautiful and just really spoke to me.
-S.

[Tony]

The heart of man is exceedingly wicked, who can know it?

[R J Askew]

I can't see us changing because aggression and violence are such fundamental parts of our make up. Many of us seem to love war. It seems to be something we do instinctually. Blood and death seem to fascinate us. Look at the films we watch. I often wonder if out common fate hinges on a conflict within us between said instincts and our famous intelligence. (I won't if 'human intelligence' is an oxy-what's-it) Does our future turn on our intelligence defeating our instincs. But again, even here, I am using the terminology of conflict. And might we not become dull and die of bordom if we somehow became calm and gentle as a species? I don't know. What I am absolutely certain about is that democracies should never, never, never, ever start wars because then they do not have moral imperative on their side and will lose from within.

[Flo]

As long as people stay greedy, there will always be war, this generation and the next will probably witness most of it. Sad. I really like this poem, it shows alot of emotion and it flows perfectly.
Good Job.
Flo

[Havatara]

So true. I'm mostly against war, so I especially liked this poem.
(http://www.lyrics.com/hands-held-high-lyrics-linkin-park.html) my views in a nutshell

[Bhavya Kaushik]

This was a very intense piece, it had my heart, it really did.
Very well written!

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Congrats on your winning poem. Well Done!

[Lord Da Crownsmeyer]

u always leave me speechless!! :D

[Dom Macchiaroli]

Sadly, there will always be wars as long as people and pride exist. And that reality is fundamental all the way down the chain of life: as I write this, two birds are fighting outside my window over a piece of bread. And no amount of reason will get them to stop.

[Raven Wilson]

Delicate subjects are often difficult to handle. Many will go overboard, however, you have seemed to escape that while still creating a strong piece.

[Isericanormal]

i think you wrote it so well. but its so sad. i nearly cried.