Free Verse Poem on Torture

This has more to do with what we experienced on the ground than what the CIA was doing with detainees.

I don't condone torture 

But I know why it happens 

When no one knows anything 

and no one saw anything 

and you're being deceived

time and time again 

by people you've learned to despise 

for being busy little b******s 

killing and maiming your friends 

You seriously run out of patience 

and make damn sure they pay for it 

Our people don't have the stomach for war 

It don't go down with Cafe Lattes 

the way fantasy football does 

It's to much reality for consumers

Kill teenagers with rounds through the head 

or beat the f**k out of them 

when you catch them with a chest 

full of batteries and cord for IED's

What difference does it make

War is an ugly f*****g business 

where you do ugly f*****g things 

that follow you home like twisted spirits

where the people cheer your homecoming 

and can't see what's inside you 

If they could see it

They'd be horrified 

But they don't understand 

what they sent you to do 

So you smile and move on 

and learn to cope with the

monotony of peace

knowing your life's purpose

 will never be

that incredible again  

I don't condone torture 

But I know why it happens 

Reviews

[olla]

"If they could see it
They'd be horrified
But they don't understand
what they sent you to do"

I have no words to adequately express my feelings here.. we are so quick to judge.. sitting here in our warm houses with our full cupboards and our fancy toys.. I wish I could give you a hug..

[Baby Ricochet]

thank you olla. I appreciate it

[TL Boehm]

I don't condone torture but I know why it happens. that line. So simple yet chilling to the bone. Perhaps it is weighted because we know you are speaking the truth.

[Relic]

My father's a world war 2 buff. Lots of books an dvd's as well as videos an magazines. I've read about what humans have done to other humans in war. I've seen pics on the internet. I got away from it all because I could. Others like yourself couldn't. Torture is hell. I've heard lots about it. Horrible stuff. It's good that you can get some of it out by writing about it if anything.

[I Am Svetlana]

I don't see how some people can bring themselves to be torturers. I already dispise torture with a passion and feel it shouldn't be taken to such an extreme as it has been recently. It's sad, cruel, inhuman. If we feel its best to torture others for answers, then we may as well kill ourselves.

[Baby Ricochet]

Yeah, it is. S**t happens

[Troy Henson]

I would never ay I know what your saying because only those that have lived through what you have will truly understand mate.

Always love to read your pieces. So true, so raw and a lesson in every detail.

Thank you

[Baby Ricochet]

thank you troy

[WILDERNESS]

B******s everywhere are sacrificing young men for everything that's already fucked up....................

[Baby Ricochet]

Thanks for stopping by

[Rita L. Sev]

War is an ugly business, indeed - and unless one has been there, they flat out do not know. This is a straight up, honest piece that gets to the guts.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thanks Rita

[Tai Ryens]

My jewels, this has to be one of the most astounding pieces of work you've written to-date. From what you say about not condoning torture the humanization of those that do the torturing, you've covered one of the most controversial opinions and have expressed your point of view to the dot. It's not everyday that I find a writer capable of making those that do atrocious seem even remotely human, and yet you go the extra mile by putting into words that many wouldn't dare to and for those that cannot put it into words. The passion, the intensity of your words, the sense of firsthand experience . . .

I'm flabbergasted by this one, Baby R. Keep writing, you're bound to bring the truth to those that would not normally stumble upon it otherwise. Well done.

[Baby Ricochet]

thanks tai

[Melliflower]

The line "Our people don't have the stomach for war" really strikes me! I can't explain why, or how, though it just does. Beautiful work! xx

[Baby Ricochet]

Thanks Melliflower

[Corset]

It haunts, I've seen first hand how it can rot you and you have expressed it so vehemently and with such clarity that it would be very hard NOT to understand at least a little of what you go through daily trying to process the nightmare.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thanks for stopping by Corset. It's good to hear from you

[NoelHC]

When Canada had troops in Afghanistan, any prisoners they captured were handed over to the local police or army. The opposition parties here tried to make it seem out troops were systematically torturing prisoners, because of what ANP or ANA were doing. After talking with my son of his experience over there "I don't condone torture But I know why it happens" as well.

[Baby Ricochet]

I'm sure there's abuse of detainees on some scale.Some abuse is inevitable no matter how feverishly officers follow the ROE. They're the enemy and they're trying to kill you. You take that s**t pretty damn personally. Thanks for stopping by NOEL