Madness lived in snow caps
where in trenches lie a man's
mortar- salted heart;
livid pain matched the
gray cap of expenditure
its oozing red seam would please
the enemy distraught; so much so
that they grazed the fatigues
for tickets of a matinee,
a piece of pulpit slat
letters from the mother of four.
How long was sorrow and
who has forgotten loss
in withered sleeves; rows
of disgust and perpetual dismay
dim silver-templed heroes
plagues hang above sons who know
little for the blood or reason
this tryst ever began,
why so much happened
for so little change-
his own hand soon to be
part of someone’s tomb
in another conflict.
Whose blood can pay its costly fee
When this, for land, is never free.
Author notes
5th edit.
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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I like this stanza the best:
How long was sorrow and
who has forgotten loss
in withered sleeves; rows
of disgust and perpetual dismay
dim silver-templed heroes
as it speaks to many generations.
Yes, a sad poem. The one thing I never forget is to ask the question 'why' as in why was war necessary . . .
As much as I've studied history, often the answer isn't the one we thought it was.
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Wow, Powerful Stuff!!!
Thoughtful, intelligent & honest...
Cuts through the crap & homes in on the heart of it...
It speaks from the heart & reads in the voice of humanity...
Well penned! Well said! Well done!!!
A great piece you have here...
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Bloody Brilliant, shit you are good hey??
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Pretty intense sister. I read it over and over to get it clear in my mind. I love the last line "When this, for land, is never free. Great Job!
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Beautiful. Sad. True. This is one of your best. I was moved to tears.
This is so well crafted and shows so much loving care on your part. As pointed as it is, it is not at all heavy handed. It runs straight and true and sharp and cuts through all the rationalizations and justifications, all the high sounding words intended to bypass the brain and go for the heart.
In this one, you have grabbed my heart through my brain -- it is intelligent, well reasoned, and deeply passionate. What a perfect blend -- it works on every level.
The term "instant classic" may be overused to the point of banality, but this is a "sudden classic" and is one to be remembered for a long time to come.
Your words are breathtaking and your talent awe inspiring! THANK YOU.
CaliOkie
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This is one of the best you have sent my way. The wind up at the end is so powerful. We as writers always look for a way to capture the reader, we try so hard, god we try so hard. If you are like me I think about the reader every moment. The twist, the calculation to make my point. Every line, every purpose of this piece cuts across time immemorial to the present. Time means nothing. Nothing has changed in our grabbing at power. Expend the children for our purposes. You are there, you got it. RC
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