To The Middleground

Mediator.

Bring me to the battleground

Right in between two enemies

Before or after bloodshed lay

Spattered on the dying grass.

Bring me to the battleground

As a shield for two strong beliefs

While weapons stand at the ready

Pointed straight at the others through me.

Bring me to the battleground

With soldiers drowning in their own pride

As their nations flag waves high above them

Waiting for bullets to riddle it with holes.

Bring me right down to the battleground

Let me stand with peace of mind

As the angels descend to carry my comrades

Back to the place that they are from.

Reviews

[CecilA]

Riley,

I've read several of your poems and find them to be well composed, thoroughly brilliant and at the same time shocking. I get the same feeling when I read Poe. Like him, you are able to stir the deepest of our hidden emotions; those which most of us are afraid to explore. How courageous you are to find it within yourself to bring those to the surface and share them with us. Perhaps I ignore those unpleasant thoughts and emotions because they resurrect demons I encountered in Viet Nam in the 60's. I prefer to keep them hidden in locked compartments deep within my vast files of things to forget and never to bring to mind. But what a fool am I for they continually knock on those compartment doors seeking permission to resurrect themselves and remind me once again that life can be hell. Yet I forbid them to come back to haunt me and seek to ignore their contrived innocence. But when I least expect it they wear me down and I submit to their continual pestering; especially when I'm asleep. Then the b******s begin their prodding and poking and humiliating accusations until I break out in sweats of despair. They become uncontrollable and seem to multiply in number until I nearly loose my sanity. Then I awaken and they vanish in to thin air as though not to have existed at all. They will be back for they are unconquerable. So I must remain strong and on continual guard lest they return too soon and I succumb to their demand of retribution. Thanks for sharing your inspiration work.

[Riley Bray]

Your flattery is well received, thanks. ^^ Also, I feel I should thank you for your service, so thanks again!

[Tai Ryens]

You seem like the type of person that'd sooner place a flower in the barrel of a gun sooner than stand behind the trigger (Hackney massacre). Just saying.

[Riley Bray]

Haha I suppose that's true. Thanks for the review. :)

[Amaya Sullivan]

I love the last stanza. This is a great poem! It's in my favorites.

[Riley Bray]

Thanks! :)