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Dresden

Fire bombs fell down on Dresden
And so many other tragic cities.
Tens of thousands died
In agony and terror.
And the world forgets.
Instead, having celebrated the death
Of countless innocent women and children
By building statues and giving medals
To the murderers,
The old heroes march past at the Cenotaph
Telling but one warped side of the story.
The victors re-write history
And we should be ashamed.
So, up yours, Bomber Command and the USAAF.

Last few words: 
It is worth remembering that, on the nights of 13-14 February 1945, as the Red Army advanced into Germany, the RAF and the USAAF totally flattened Dresden, the "Florence of the Elbe". Dresden had little military significance and was full of refugees fleeing the Soviets. The most conservative estimate is that 35,000 were burned alive but a more realistic estimate is c. 50,000. In two nights. The bodies were piled high in the streets. The slaughter was intentional and unnecessary as the war was coming to a close and Britain and the USA have never apologised for this war crime, although at least British politicians and military leaders have appeared at commemoration services.. It was a punishment, no more, no less. It's about time the statues erected to the killers were torn down. I shan't even mention Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

at least make your political rants, look and sound like poetry or prose? This is a poetry site. I understand a lot of your points and even agree with some of them, but, sheesh! ~ Geezer.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

...to dismiss something you disagree with as a "political rant". Telling the truth about history is not a "rant".
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xxx
Edna
Poet(ess) to the Stars

author comment

if you want to call it a history lesson, that's fine. I still feel that it doesn't belong here. THIS is a POETRY SITE! If you insist on giving history lessons, make them in prose or poetry of some kind!
And as I said before; I don't disagree with a lot of your points, just make them in poetry. ~ Geezer.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

..what is or what is not "poetry" - also if it's not "poetry" it is therefore prose.

Let's stop this argument NOW.
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xxx
Edna
Poet(ess) to the Stars

author comment

No problem.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

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