To Be A Terrorist

Religion, opiate of the masses, tool for coercion, licence to kill? How much do we underestimate the passion of those prepared to die for their beliefs?

Ask yourself,

What does it take to be a 'Terrorist'
To put cities and nations, under the fist?
Steal a passenger plane, take a bomb on a train
Killing bystanders, enemies, one and the same
What does it take? Too much hate, too much pain?
Very brave? Very angry? Very stupid?
Mental strain?

Stupidity assumed,
Here's another ask...

What can it feel like to be on that train
with a homemade bomb at the base of your brain
Sweating finger on the button
Of impersonal destruction
Just a man, just a woman,
following instructions?
Maybe think of the future, of waking tomorrow,
safe and unharmed, with no regime to follow

What faith does it take to obliterate
Yourself and all those in your personal space
Workers and shirkers, mothers and sons
Husbands and daughters,
The old and the young?
What hatred is needed to render deceded
Innocence, sucking it's thumb?

consider this....

Maybe...
Someone coerced you, fed you a lie,
Convinced you of Glory, a place at God's side
Taught you to hate, see non-believers as waste
To be wiped of the face of religious debate,
Oppressors, digressors, capitalist proffessors
Opposed to your opposite religious state

So you clench every muscle, use belief to placate
as the train nears a point
predetermined by fate
What thoughts clog your head?
'Is it true, when I'm dead,
I'll be safe? I'll be saved? Do I believe, in my heart
All those things that they said?'

What strength does it take for your finger to move
Press the button and boom, end all thinking,
for good?
Smashing glass, rending iron, sending soft
bodies flying, twisting flames, faithful games
Good lives smashed into dying
all for some Martyrdom henceforth applying.

Perhaps not ashamed, for there are
others to blame,

What does it take to be a terrorist?

 

My friends...
all it takes,
is Faith.

Reviews

[empiethree]

extreemly good! Your rhymes are very lyrical and every word is well placed and the size of the stanzas is great. 'al it takes,/ is faith' is such a powerful line right at the end. A very moving piece. But I'm not just reviewing this poem, I have read all four and there great. Keep it up! I hope lots of people are reading your work because it is very influential in a good way. Well done.

[Helena]

A chilling write Carey. Just what does go on in their head when they are about
to pull that switch (or whatever they do)? I guess we will never know and I guess
they will get to know soon enough the outcome of their misguided "faith".

Well done! Thanks also for sharing and submitting this to my contest. ~ Helena

[Lady leah]

Nicely penned write, great piece

[Jason Henry]

thanks for this indulgence into the psyche of a terrorist. i think many who read this will begin to understand that people don't just do stuff like that haphazardly and without reason. to them we are evil and they are the tyranny to evil men. they are justice awaiting a paradise in the post-life. excellent work!

[Kare]

WOW...powerful powerful piece...excellent read.