As Christmas approaches, we wonder
If peace on Earth still stands a chance –
The boom of the guns, and the thunder,
As projectiles shatter and glance,
Distract us with turmoil and hate.
Can they open our eyes and apprize us
Of hard truths that shouldn’t surprise us?
We must stop this, before it’s too late.
The body count daily grows higher –
As our moral high ground is dissolving.
Mistrust and despair feed the fire,
While our worldview’s sadly revolving.
Can't we stop now ... and calculate the worth
Of lasting love ... and peace on Earth.
Author notes
Please keep in mind that war is Hell, and for soldiers holidays can be all that and more.
A contest entry
- increase the peace [or something along those lines] by Sofia Nadia.
1050 points, ended November 25, 2007, 24 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 37 of 37
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This is a very beautiful piece. It must be the hardest thing on earth for these soldiers to be away from their families anwhat may be around the corner....also so very hard on the families that wait for them at home....forever fearful and worried for their loved ones. In this piece, you have spoken well about the senseless waste of so many beautiful lives, of the silliness of war and its terrible casualty list. Thank oyu so much for entering and the best in the contest.
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Yes I do agree with you there the soldiers that have to stay away from their families in this terrible time is awful... but it must also be just as terrible for the families that have lost their sons and daughters out there and know that they'll never share another christmas with them... this really makes the reader think about the after affect of someone dieing out there ....... welldone on the Bronze
thankyou for sharing this lovely piece 
xx DD
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Thank you for entering my military contest. I also thank you for the soft reminder that we can NEVER forget our fighting men and women no matter where they may be.
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thought-provoking
you get an A for that, i'm impressed with how deep this is for a piece so short and succint. great work, and very appropriate seeing as how christmas is nearing the corner. thank you so much for entering.
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Good Job, and thank you for entering. Best of luck!
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A very apt sentiment, and message for the us all. In hopes that we might make it in the next xmas go round. love and respect.
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Beautiful sentiments.
Beautifully written with very profound feelings. I am adding you to my favourites list if that is OK with you. -
Great poem this is. The words could be mine exactly. This is just what I think... "Can't we stop now and calculate the worth, Of lasting love ... and peace on Earth." I also like the rhyming sceme very much. Well done. While reading out loud, it sounded like a song in my ears. Well done.
Anna.
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wow
After reading a handfull of your poems I've discovered that I'm too in awe of your talent (and your impressive resume) to actually attempt to critique. Needless to say I find your work amazing (and secretly hope that you won't read any of mine). Its just so beautiful.
I'm sure that praise isn't that helpful to you, but I'm offering it anyways... -
I'm a big fan of sonnets (Shakespearian, mainly), and this doesn't look like a failure to me. (But, then, my knowledge isn't great - I'm just the monkey who reads them). Apart from the hiccup in the middle, where the rhyming scheme strays a bit to Italian, and switches to ABBA (or CDDC, whatever). But a bit of mixing and matching never did anyone any harm. And the important thing here is the message, which is really powerful...
What else can I say? I love it. I guess I'll just have to take the risk, and applaud it. -
What a wonderful thought, what a wonderful poem!
I agree with you.. when will it stop. It's so not worth all the lives lost to a cause that so many are against. They are people, lives, loved ones that people have lost.. when will it end?
Such emotion, I love this piece.. truely awsome! -
WOW I know this feeling cause its true. I know what you mean by war is hell. Great job on this. I have several friends that are going thru this same thig. Keep up the great work.
Blessed be,
LadyNightWolf AKA Kayla Lynn -
Nothing wrong with this at all. The message comes over very clear and the imagery is excellent.Sonnet or not , it's the content of the piece that is important and the words speak volumes here. Take care...Lv Mal Thank you for your kind comments on my own work. The query regading TV is that it depends on the area you come from in engalnd. We say TV or Telly. Thanks again ...
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This poem was excellent, you should register at my site liberalpoetry.proboards29.com and post it there, I'd most appreciate seeing that there. YOu captured in that we only get killed more often but nothing is getting solved and we still have no reason for doing this. Very good
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The world is a calculation of war and atrocity...who has what that can be taken by force. We speak of Humanity, but are not worthy of the title. Christ will be with us until the end of the world. Watching the war against evil, I also wonder when we will calculate the worth of love.
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Even though I'm reading this a little late(it is a few weeks after Christmas), I still enjoyed this so-called "failed" sonnet. This war is so complex and so worrisome... I worry about my son and all he is going through. I hope he stays safe and will be home next Christmas. Write on, poet. Smiles.
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This is what I felt this Christmas but didn't have the right words to express. Great job and thanks for sharing.
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I hope you can find time to read my last posting, "The Heart Must Pause To Breathe". I think you might be interested in it if you liked this one.
Happy New Year. Did you have a White Christmas in Germany? I think it would be great to spend at least one Christmas in Berlin and one in Paris before I kick off, but of course there's the small matter of money.
Thanks,
Jim Dunlap -
this is so beautifully beseeching...
Would you mind if I pass this on to one of the doctors I work with? Her husband is based in Iraq currently. -
Moving
Failed? Only to a nit-picking hair splitter
I love it as it is, why force it unnecessarily into a form? The message it carries is far more important than any writing rules and gives "ostrich heads" like me something to think about. I normally avoid war related writing like the plague but I'm glad I read this one - looking forward to reading more of your stuff!
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this is not failed-to me
i think it's fantastic how you made words ryhme that i wouldn't even think of "apprize, surprise worth, Earth"
it's thoughtful of you to remember and think of the sodliers over there giving their lives for our freedom-while we pass the potatoes and gravy...
ash -
Thanks. I wish some of the soldiers could see it, as I think it would be appropriate for them. However, I don't know how to do that, and I doubt many of them come here or read Poetry Life and Times.
Jim Dunlap
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Jim there is simply nothing failed about this poem It has so much character and depth in it- The message delivered here is powerful and an absolute must-I commend you for that-I have enjoyed this poem immensely-
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Thanks. It is a failed sonnet because it does not have a volta. This poem is up this month on Poetry Life and Times, in case you might want to check out the other poems I have there, as well as the work of other poets in the wide world.
www.poetrylifeandtimes.com/current.html
I think that's it. If not, just delete current.html and then click on Poetry Life and Times.
Thanks again,
Jim Dunlap
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I really enjoyed reading this. A good friend of mine is stationed in Iraq right now as a medic for the Army and I know he would rather be here right now. But he knows he has a job to do and he is proud to be doing it. You did an excellent job with this, even though you are calling it a failed sonnet.
~ John
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Wow, this poem is really something Jim
The message is definitely an alarm for peace.
You did a great job with writing this.
Thanks for sharing your work here and take care
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Such a beautiful and sadly a true piece. You got your message across beautifully. Great Work
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I think he stole the election. I don't really believe that many people voted for death and destruction.
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Salut Jim
your poem held plenty of emotional depth , so there is no need to worry about the form.It is a strong message well heeded by this reader , however we chose to elect the same man again that got us there in the first place. I just can't understand it , as the majority of people seem to be against this war
A prochainement
Reenie
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Hello Jim,
I agree completely with what others have said...even though this doesn't quite make it into the Sonnet "mold" it is well written, flows nicely, and has a strong and worthwhile message. Sonnet or not...a very heartfelt piece and I am glad I came to read it. Thanks for looking at some of mine as well.
Blessings,
Del -
Folks can get touchy on the Bulletin boards here. It comes with the urge to scribble, I think.
I'll bill you for the lead. -
The baton, every time. Thanks, Larry. This is a much more gentille type of poetry site. Thanks for turning me on to it.
Jim Dunlap -
Let me get my cheerleaders' outfit on Jim. Do you prefer the pompoms or the baton?
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What a sweetheart. I can always use a cheering section.
Thanks.
Jim Dunlap
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No apologies needed. Every piece that is submitted should never be left untouched. It can inspire new thoughts, or it can be completely renovated. The fact that you are writing down your thoughts and passions are commendable. Never stop.
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it may not follow the general rules of a sonnet but it is a beautifully written poem, nonetheless, i love the emtotion/passion displayed in this poem...
Great job, keep up the good work!
~Cordelia~ -
Jim, I really appreciate your passion and heart for this world. I want peace, too. Having been a soldier in the Army myself, I appreciate what our men and women are doing. It is right to speak for them. One day, the learning of war will stop. We must still, now speak against the bloodshed we get ourselves into.
Please, Jim, no need to explain/apologize. I have been there myself. Work it out when you can.
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