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.

[Raivenne]

Well penned.

[Ashley.M.E]

this is a really good. Well done.

[Katie L]

well writen

[bellaa]

Powerful!

[Coyote Poetry]

I was a soldier for 15 years. I volunteers for every mission I could. I saw nothing wrong with war till I went to friends funerals and held their children hands. They (The children)would ask me was the death of their father for a good reason. I try to tell them he die for a purpose. A very strong poem. Something leave us with no road to find understanding.
Coyote

[RDOriginal]

This is an interesting approach to a war poem, I wouldn't necessarily say it's anti-war, more an examination of the reality of conflict. The reason for saying this is that you present some quite uncomfortable images that may strike home a little too hard with some readers. Sometimes a subtle push can be much more effective than a punch in the mouth!

The way that you involve both the people at home and the fate of the soldiers themselves is very effective. Whilst concentrating on the theme of the sacrifice of the latter those for whom the sacrifice was made are made to look unworthy or uncaring. It is only when the "lonely sound" shocks everybody out of their stupor that people are actually reminded of what has been lost. It's not that they're showing lack of respect, it's more a case of them perhaps being uncomfortable with the reality of loss or feeling unworthy of the sacrifice.

This poem works well as a warning that perhaps we should pay closer attention to how we live and what we're fighting for. War without reason has become all to familiar, some things are worth fighting for but they are few and far between. Do we really need more of our children dancing to war when they are scythed down and all too easily forgotten?

[Butch Decatoria]

so forboding. I'm as much a hater of war as you, and it makes no sense to me because truly we only kill our own, its like murdering our own family and giving it stupid excuses like how it will make the economy better. hmph. great write. been a while btw.

[Iota]

I have read this a few times since you posted it. I think our children go and fight because of pride but I believe war is a direct result of money hungry government and those who run it. it is just too much money tied up in war and someone is pocketing it all and it isn't our children.

[Pink Persian]

this poem is very touching for me...
feels like the meaning will really pierce through the soul...
a very captivating piece...
(^_^)