On the Eve of War

Written before the start of the current Middle East conflict, still ongoing at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives, it was clear right from the start what motivated it.... lots and lots of lies. Sadly still relevant today.

We're bringing chaos to your lands,
with loaded weapons in our hands
and tanks that leave a legacy
of mutant children and disease.

 

We'll bring our coca cola aims
and play our sordid little games,
for profit, pride and arrogance,
Illuminating our advance.

 

We do not like the things you do,
the threat you bring to our fast food,
the possibility you might
stand up against us when we're right.

 

You don't fit in with our beliefs,
You look like murderers and thieves.
We cannot trust the things you say.
We will not let you live your way.

 

And then, we need to pay you back
for that terrorist attack.
We’re well aware it wasn't you,
but it doesn't matter, you will do.

 

We've sold the world the fallacy

that you will take our Liberty,

threaten our whole society
in all its rich variety.

 

We're going to take your lives away,
change the way you have your say,
ostensibly to ease your toil,

with covert aims to own your oil.

 

And so we've come to change your lives,
annihilate your kids and wives.

We tell the world we're in the right
but all we want to do is fight.

 

 

 

(Carey Lenehan © 2002)

 

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

It's very cleverly done, and it is, indeed, very much relevant (of course, it would have been relevant in the '50s as well). The rhyme scheme, as Legion notes, works quite well--it doesn't feel forced, and I don't see any word choices that look particularly strained. The only thing that seems out of place, in my view, is the rhythm and flow; if you read it aloud, it's almost like an advertising jingle--which could work, if you were consciously going in that direction, but I don't believe you were. I think if you lengthened your lines that would slow the piece down a bit. Still, it is very solid work--nicely conceived and well-executed.

[empiethree]

Wow, amazing piece of writting. You are right, it is still very relevent today. Couldnt help but notice the line "illuminating our advance"
This seems like a link to the Illuminati being responsible for terrorism and all the lies we're being told in the mass media. Weather this was intentional or not, it still works realy well. A very powerful and moving piece. Thanks again,
Empie.

[Legion]

Interesting perspective. I like it. Even the rhyme scheme is pretty good (most of the time I don't care for rhyme unless it is unusual and above the mediocre typical rhymes found in most poetry - like rhyming love with dove every time). Good work. Too bad the powers that be can't see it this way (or won't).