proof that humanity rots
if not for the crude snapshots
it would have been denied
war brings a darker side
it’s not just allegations
there are investigations
acts of horror were driven
with every reason given
dehumanize detainees
naked and down on their knees
wounds were not self inflicted
as some reports depicted
all suffer by acts of the few
on both sides sadly but true
if leaders were peaceful men
what would be our reasons then
animals are plagued by flaws
they act by instinctive laws
humanity should be above
showing nothing less than love
Author notes
I deleted my first as it brought anti-American images my way. When it comes to politics I am ignorant but I know what is morally right and wrong. The acts at Abu Ghraib were inhumane. The ending of this poem is all about spreading the love and you think this is coming from a flower child of the sixties, I never was a part of that either. I can't endorse behavior like this.
"And there are certain things that pushed me over the edge, including the picture of Sabrina Harman with her thumbs up with the corpse." The paintings are mild compared to the photographs..google Abu Ghraib
A contest entry
- Abu Ghraib ~ the Contest ~ 4000 points by Ariosto II..
3500 points, ended June 17, 2008, 6 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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It does read like a rap song.
Which is relevant I think to the subject, since
it's an effective way of presenting, disturbing
and controversial themes.
thanks for entering my contest
excellent work!
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Not bad ...
but admitting to being "ignorant when it comes to politics" is not a good thing. Acts like this happen because too many people are like that. If you don't pay attention, who will? The rise of Hitler was possible because England wasn't paying attention. The rightwing takeover of American politics was possible because Americans "were paying attention".
Anyway, you've done a good job with the poem. That's something.
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Seems like it could be a rap song. The paintings are quite affecting aren't they? I'm not sure what I wanted to say and had a hard time myself. I see them being bigger than American issues -- humanity issues.
Anyway, good luck in the difficult contest.
Lisa -
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Just last night I watched "Lions for Lambs" one phrase that was repeated a couple of times "the hearts and minds of the American people" reflected the ploys of politicians and the media to feed us a diet of endless greed and war covered with the sauce of freedom. I realized that it's the title of David's poem.."Hearts and Minds"
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War, it is so much in the world at the moment, has it ever been any different? If we look through history we will find the answer to that. All the lies that go with it too, as you point out here in your poem, with self inflicted wounds, history has different roads, one where the ones in control travel and one where the victims are thrown down, there are but two of them. Humanity is a pot of dark and light emotional complexity, bubbling over with importance and greed and the desire to kill. But there are spirits who abhor this, and wish to find peace in the world. I was just watching the news earlier and it was showing some Amazon rainforest tribe not touched by the modern world, how long will it be before they are wiped away! A good ending, yes, we should show love, sadly though hate keeps rushing in.
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Well put.
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So so true this is. You have hit the nail on the head with this one. Everything you have put down here I agree with wholeheartedly. It is powerful, brilliant writing that is also thought-provoking too. Great writing always makes the reader think, this did that and more. Well done. A gold piece of writing if ever there was one.
With
Dark
Love
Wayne Leon
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Dearest Poetess, I am sorry I cannot applaud this piece again as I deleted my first comment which was too lengthy. You have imbued imagery and emotion poetically with an assertive voice and without anger, so that this avoids being a rant but becomes a portrayal of the dark deeds encapsulated within poetry. I echo your thoughts and concerns.
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"War is not healthy for children and other living things" A John Denver quote I believe and how very true this exceptional piece. Will we ever learn....Superb...mal
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war is in our nature i think, we keep speaking of peace but we then go and make war, maybe we are all just mad.
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Aye, we have set the path to the dark place and in time we will not doubt that a bit because we will all be living in the aftermath of horrible acts.
A wonderful, telling poem, dear one. 
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