Long ago there was a war
Thousands of bombs started it
Two ended it
They said it was the Greatest Generation
From the newly dubbed GI's
To all the Rosie the Riveters back home
Two great enemies
Stretched around the world
While many desparate Alies
Struggled to repel them
The President,
Wise and caring
Called to the Nation
To help with the war
With na'ry a complaint
They gave and gave
They put an end to the war
In only four years
Today, we have another war
It started with four planes
Three of which found their targets
The President,
Dull and backwards
Sent not the nation to war
But only a portion
He attacked the wrong nation
He fed his children such lies
About weapons of mass distruction
And links to bad guys
Now we're in this war
The GI's reduced to political pawns
We support the troops!
No, we support them more!
But few really support them
They buy two dollar magnets
To stick on their cars
Then the drive home
And think on them no more
In the great war
It was truely the Greatest Generation
All sacrificed
All pulled their weight
But now we all rush home to see
The latest reality show
Or watch a rich bimbo go to jail.
A contest entry
- The Mediocre Against Mediocrity by laughingstock.
450 points, ended May 19, 2007, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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ABSOLUTLY ASTOUNDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the way you compare and contrast the different time periods. My husband is a Marine and will soon be returning to Iraq. The sad thing is, He is Canadian, Its not his war. He joined the U S Marines to become more of a man, in an attempt to be a part of somthing like we wee in the old WW2 films. He was disapointed. These lines here stuck out to me: "But few really support them They buy two dollar magnets To stick on their cars Then the drive home And think on them no more" Thomas Jefferson once said "Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion, but the long ans steady dedication of a lifetime". It is so true that the people here at home claim to care about the soldiers, but like those magnets you spoke of, people only wore red white and blue for what? A year? After nine eleven it was not patriotism that urged our nation to raise their flags and cover their homes with ribbons, it was fashion. the same masses that are obsessed with the reality shows, and what star is having what celebritie's baby are the same that only were "american" for a brief moment. Few of those same people have any clue who is even running for the oval office, they will just vote for who is more popular, who is more like a celebrity. I have read this poem through three times, and my final critique is this : I LOVE IT! Because my husband as a military pawn is prohibited from having an outspoken oppinion on the war he is fighting, and I like to keep mine silent no matter what it is, I will keep my politics out of my comment. My husband and I are just awaiting our chance to relocate to another country, preferably Ireland once his tour is done. But alas we muct wait four more years because a certian oval office benchwarmer says that all military personel are to remain in the states for four years after they are through with their enlistment, in case we decide to go to war with some other God-Forsaken desert land.Okay so maybe I did insert a wee bit of polotics in there..... Okay, now that I am taking a breath, lol. Let me just say this, this poem is simply awesome, and I congradulate you on your honesty and pure poetic ability. great write. Its just so great
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This is the truth. la verdad... la verite... whatever language you say it in, it's true... very unfortunately.
Well scribed, I'm sad to see that this didn't place in the contest; it was well worthy of an award
Be blessed
Zach
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Wow, how true! I enjoyed this because it was the truth and describes exactly today's society - no if's, and's, or but's about it. I especially liked the comparion to the war before and the war today. There is a huge difference, and you've described that very well.
"The President,
Dull and backwards
Sent not the nation to war
But only a portion
He attacked the wrong nation
He fed his children such lies
About weapons of mass distruction"
This was my favorite part because it shows how The President has wronged the people he supposively represents. I love the children parallel too. Very nice! -
Yep, and now he's causing President Putin to aim his missiles at us here in Europe!
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Respect
Very nicely done. I love the harshness of satire you used and the connection between the years and changing of times. This is a great political statement that is highly relatable. The references to World War II really made a difference in this. Because instead of just mocking the way the world is. You brought a connection into what the world used to be and more importantly where we have come and where we are going.
Some minor things need tweaking though, "magnates" is not the right word in the sentence "They buy two dollar magnates" you want "magnets".
Satires are the way that you get an opportunity to strike back at the injustice that surrounds you. So don't hold back. Write with a chip on your shoulder and that you have something to say and you have something to prove. This was a well done piece and I wish you the best of luck in my contest. Thanks. -
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Thanks. Sometimes I think America is the new Rome. It's not, though. Rome lasted for millenia, and I would be suprised if we made it 350 years intact. Thanks for the spelling tip. lol The longer it's been since I graduated, the worse my spelling has gotten!
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Haha... The last three lines were basically awesome. Those lines kind of remind me of a poem that I wrote called "The Second Coming", if you would care to read it.
Anywho, great job on this. Allies is spelt with two l's though, fyi. And magnets as just demonstrated, although I think you might want to say stickers instead, because I'm pretty sure that's what they actually are.
But I thought this really got to the core of the war. Ha, accidently rhymed. Well done. Keep writing. -
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Thanks. I'll fix the spelling goof. The reason I said magnets was because that's the only form I've really seen them sold as. Thanks again, I really appreciate it!
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I understand you.
Iīve just read an article about a soldier who came back home, totally disillusioned and found no support and understanding. I think nobody who hasnīt been in war has an image of how difficult the situation is or an idea of the horror.
Itīs so easy to promise.
You meet an important point: Being a political power doesnīt mean being right.
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:D:D:D
Thank you and it's really nice to hear from you again!! I missed talking to you. You're right, being a political power doesn't mean being right. A patriot should be willing to fight his government to save his country.
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