What Happened?

What happened to all the crusaders?

Monday's martyrs and Saturday's saints?

Where have all the heroes gone?

Those who took a stand and said no to tyranny, injustice and persecution.

Fought for the little guy.

Stood firm in jail, torture, crucifixion and murder.

Were thrown in lion's dens and fiery furnaces.

Defiantly resisted while their tongues were plucked out, bodies burned and flesh boiled.

Were there, when they said they would be, despite the odds.

Put passion and principle before profit.

Took the hit and got back up again.

The unbreakable, swashbuckling, battling bastions of boldness.

Champions of beauty and good who challenged convention and authority.

Brave who wouldn't go along to get along.

Stoic armies of one.

Righteous rebels and revolutionaries.

Harbingers of high renaissance.

Ones who went against the grain.

Unfurled flags planted in bloody soil.

What happened?

Did we kill them or did they become extinct?

There is a price to be paid for everything.

Van Gogh still had one ear.

If you keep asking why enough times, you will arrive at an answer.

Hold fast to that truth.

Guard it.

Protect it.

It may be all we have left ...

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'What Happened?'
Pete,
This was a great poem to remind us all to not let go of being brave and not giving up in this world. We all get tired sometimes and may wonder what is important eneough to stand up for when we feel like we are shot down. Lovely inspiring writing!
Kathy

[Pete]

thank you Kathy! a great reflection you share - a good, hopeful way to start my day ... :)

[Kathy Van Kurin]

I'm so glad! I hope you find good in it and more beside!

[andrew mitchell]

Unfortunately, the bullet came along and changed everything I mean if you're up against a five dan black belt, your best chances of survival and its quick , fire the pistol. They were brave men in those times because dying wasn't done in a nice fashion, rather cruelly! As always Pete, You are a fine writer.

[Pete]

thank you andrew, as are you. appreciated.

[Michael X]

woh, that is so true! And what would be considered a modern day hero? Great poem!

[Pete]

Another reviewer, below, said a modern day hero is anyone "battling on through life's obstacles, though one may be dressed in a minimum wage job uniform and wielding no weapon". I was thinking more like anyone who refuses to "go along to get along" - people who aren't afraid to stand up to injustice and things that aren't right.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and we still had at least one ear in the sixties and fought for things...called out, protested and tried to get change...we tried peacefully to move mountains...not with fires and rage...but unease with how things were...we had logic to our cries and we cried loud...

we cared...now there is so much apathy...and when there is movement...it is just rioting for the sake of violence...so it seems...

there was interaction and reaction...and purpose...

different now...and when people spoke out after the election, or on wall street...people scoffed and said just accept...we can't do that.

j.

[Pete]

thank you for reviewing jacob. You just wrote another poem here with your commentary.

[Tony Jordan]

This minded me of a song by Meredith Baxter - "Where have all the cowboys gone" - which is a microcosm of your ideas here.
Heroism begins at home just as charity does. If we teach our children to be unyielding - without teaching them to be stubborn and intolerant of others views - then the world and the calibre of men in it - will improve generation upon generation.
Stirring writing Pete.

[Pete]

Well said and appreciated. Both for certain.

[Kris]

I would like to hold on to my belief that there are heroes left, no matter if their voices are drowned out by modern chaos, or silenced by the villains at the top; and if battling on through life's obstacles, though one may be dressed in a minimum wage job uniform and wielding no weapon, isn't heroic today, then I don't know what is. Really enjoyed reading this, makes me long for a simpler time, or has the line between right and wrong always been blurry?

[Pete]

I don't think it started out blurry. Man, in his arrogance blurred it & seems to keep getting worse. Yes, things were a lot simpler weren't they - seems like the more advanced we become, the more complicated things get. Kind of ironic. You are very wise - there are many "unsung" heroes everyday that we never hear about because it's not glamorous.

[Jessica Jaufmann]

Prose poetry always intrigued me. I imagine it was created on accident, by someone who wanted to tell a story, but make their audience think as well. This prose poem could be applied to many things in our lives, and I love those who can reach that in writing. There is never one interpretation. The exigency for me is a critique on men. Yes, I am young, but I have noticed a wave of men who act entitled to whatever it is they want. Whether that be a job, money, women, anything. Ambition has seemed to drift away and entitlement has smashed an otherwise good work ethic.
This can also relate to the US current political times in any way someone would choose. I loved it and I love that there are prose poetry writers out there.

[Pete]

You are wise beyond your years. Yes, this is a critique of men and philosophical in nature and can be applied to many things as well. Thank you so much.

[Jessica Jaufmann]

I appreciate the compliment. Thank you and keep writing!

[mattavelli]

Hello, Pete! :)
My guess is they found less painful jobs. Haha
No, I think the heroes are still there, just not in the spotlight, and not always on our side.
You've really given something for us to think about, a contrast to the life of comforts. It's inspiring.

[Pete]

Thank you mattavelli. You made me laugh. A sad reality as you point out. Regards.

[...]

What a cool piece, awesome message and so well expressed. I enjoyed this a lot. Cheers Starz

[Pete]

You are kind indeed. Thanks so much for taking the time Starz. Cheers.

[MAC]

this is an excellent write...great style and a strong message.

[Pete]

Thank you very much. I appreciate you reading it. I hope you got something from it. Regards.