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a poem for veterans day

sacrifice and bravery
lays open -- bellies of youth --
out fall innocence, and ignorance --
shock comes
with the question
what was I thinking?

playing real war games
real bullets -- real blood
real murder
welcome to where nightmares
are born
don't sleep lest they haunt
you even at rest
daylight is not enough for their taunts

war is not an adventure
it is authorized insanity

there are no heroes in war --
only fools who believe agendas
of rich old men
too cowardly to fight for their
own feathered nests

let the young die before they
know what they are losing
egregious evil truth
rarely seen until too late

blinded by patriotism
believing lies fed and swallowed
youths charge and die
as ground where they lay
soaks life's essence

'tis truly sad when a young
man dies thus --
bullets did not care ~!

to conscience --
veterans day is an embarrassment.

vcp

9 November 2010

Style / type: 
Free verse

Comments

your thoughts here. There must be another way to settle the differences of the world. What it is, I do not know. I have read and heard many accounts of war and the reasons for and against it, but do not see any real solution. I know that until the day comes that we can put down our weapons, and embrace our brothers of mankind, we will see many men die. Only one little tweak I can see, is the double negative that you use in the line: "war is not no adventure". ~ Geezer

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.

Thanks Geezer,

Funny, but you said you don't see any real solution, then you name the solution.

"but do not see any real solution. I know that until the day comes that we can put down our weapons, and embrace our brothers of mankind,

Thanks for pointing out the double negative! I didn't even notice it -- oops.

Ciao,

Victor

"When a pickpocket meets a holy man all he sees are his pockets."

Unknown (at least to me)

author comment

Well, Chrys,

Are you a veteran? I am, and I am totally embarrassed by this day.

Thanks for the read and honest comment.

Victor

"When a pickpocket meets a holy man all he sees are his pockets."

Unknown (at least to me)

author comment

Chrys,

I know that you meant no offense, and I did not take it as such. Suffice it to say that only veterans understand veterans. Civilians just don't get it, and I don't mean this as offense, but it is the truth.

Thank you,

Victor

"When a pickpocket meets a holy man all he sees are his pockets."

Unknown (at least to me)

author comment

I thank you anyway for your service to our country. The men and women who fought in Vietnam were certainly not treated right. The shame was the citizens for their reactions, not our soldiers. There are many things I do not know about vietnam and that time. I was very young then. I do feel defense is an important part of any country. The idea setting would be that we would never have to implement it and there be no need of it. But, sadly, that is not the case. There is much greed for power and wealth. I believe that is any where in this world among leaders of men and those that wish to be.
Please, never feel embarrassed because you served. I have two sons who are both in the military. How can I accept and find any peace of mind to think the paths they may have chosen are futile? Neither are naive. Neither are looking for glory.
It is my hope you find peace.
Though I do not agree with all you have stated in your work, the mechanics are there for a well written poem.
With deepest respect and God Bless,
Tonya

but i'm saddened by the last line

whether we agree re the need for war when the ideological differences of one people encroaches on anothers', (or more to the truth - on one government to anothers' - or even more so - to the economic benefit of a few....)
the fact remains that those who fight are only the pawns in the Play.
the terrible reception our vietnam veterans received will play on my sensibilities for all my life.
you should be proud of being a veteran - i am proud of you.

love
judy
xxxx

'Each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
shall draw the Thing as he sees It, for the God of Things as They are.'
(Rudyard Kipling)

I am not embarrassed at all. The embarrassment sits upon the shoulders of those who sent us to be in harms ways for no good cause.

"When a pickpocket meets a holy man all he sees are his pockets."

Unknown (at least to me)

author comment

I apologize for misunderstanding. I do know what you mean there. Sometimes a lot of things seem pointless. To us the reasons for doing this or that doesn't make sense.
I do like that we have a special day to honor you all though. There has been some great things accomplished. Like freedom... but wae is terrible and should be avoided if at all possible. I meant to offense sir.
Always,
Tonya

Tonya,

Not offended, but thank you.

Ciao,

Victor

"When a pickpocket meets a holy man all he sees are his pockets."

Unknown (at least to me)

author comment
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