Against the Next War, The Next Hell

Against the Next War

Hello dear Readers, I’m presenting this important poem written by, Sarah, of Fresh Hell Poetry, for you all to read.  An absolutely outstanding piece of poetry, definitely one of the best anti-war poems I’ve ever read. 

   Poetry  

In response to CafePhilos’s call to make peace viral. A noble effort, and worth a try. Please give his post a read.

“Trying to do a slam-style poem. I really hope the audio turned out OK on this. Apologies if it’s too quiet, I’m still figuring out how to make videos.” – Fresh Hell

 

 

Don’t Feed Them

 

If I imagine them
Taking my brother away to war

I shatter.

I don’t want to lose anyone.
Especially not to something as stupid
As war.

Maybe you like the idea of war
Because you’ve confused real life with action movies.
Maybe you hate another group of people for what they have done.
I can’t convince you to forgive another’s atrocities
That is something you must grow into on your own.
But I can beg you this:

When dogs of war bark
Don’t feed them.
You will be told it is the honorable thing
To die for your country.
You will be told you have enemies abroad
Monsters in human flesh.
But the monsters are in your back yard
Baying for blood.
Don’t
feed
them.
You will be told
That if you love your family
You will abandon it
And submit yourself to the state.
Give up your mind, body, and soul
To be consumed.
Don’t feed them.
You will be called weak
You will be called subversive
You will be stamped
Kicked
Drowned
Thrown into jail
Dumped in the gutter.
Still,
don’t feed them.
They will scream about the chaos
Unleashed in the world
They will plead for your aid
They will put weeping women before you
They will show you the bodies of children
They will appeal to your humanity.
But if you join them
You become the monster.
You will rape the women
You will bomb the children
You will force them all into the machines.
Don’t feed them.
They offer you money
Insurance for your families
Early retirement.
Ask your wife how she feels
When you go abroad.
She may smile then, proud and supportive,
But when she gets the letter,
Insurance will be a cold comfort
A reminder
That her loved one was eaten alive.
Don’t feed them.
The politicians get fatter.
The generals get fatter.
Our fearless leaders
Have little to lose.
What is noble
About sacrificing yourself for these people?
Are they so wise, so just?
They have enough.
Don’t feed them.

  • Written by Sarah, of Fresh Hell.

 

Published by

Unknown's avatar

ivor20

G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer. I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.

34 thoughts on “Against the Next War, The Next Hell”

      1. No, voice your opinion. Tell everyone what you saw. I have participated in war and witnessed first hand what happens. It is absolutely heartbreaking. But I have also witnessed and participated in the love and comradarie that takes place in combat. The stress of combat is something that can only be experienced first hand. You either rise to the occasion, or you don’t. In a world where men are searching for the meaning of manhood, it provides the most basic measurement of how you will deal and respond to true danger and adversity.

        It also puts things into perspective rapidly, immediately you know what is truly important and what is not. The same can be said of your experiences. What you have delt with and experienced.

        Keep on talking and writing, you’re really good at it.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. I know there is an intense brotherhood that develops between soldiers in times of war.
        My microscopic reference for understanding this is, growing up with my siblings, my mom was psychotic and ill. As siblings, we had to face this together, pull together. We were homeschooled, isolated in the country. We had to rely on each other. Each of us would take a bullet for the other. Dad was the clear leader and we were proud to obey him, to try and assuage his burden. We rarely if ever fought (when we started going to school, it freaked out our friends). We still have this bond. We will always have this bond.
        This is how I feel this conversation is going: you and I are sitting on the steps, both of us disconsolately sad. You say, “I’m sad. I lost a friend.” And I say, “I understand how you feel. I lost my ice cream cone.” The comparison is ludicrous. But we both can share the sadness of having lost something.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Exactly right girl. We all have our lives and the events that led us to this very moment. One is not more important or more valuable than the other. We cannot compare, because there is no comparison, each were individual and intimate.

        Liked by 2 people

  3. Unquestionably we have benefited from war and the sacrifices that were made on our behalf. If we didn’t fight in war we may have been ruled by the 3rd Reich or the Japanese Empire by now. No one wants war, but we cannot allow our nation to be overrun or taken over.

    It is not just true for America, but every country and nation in the world.

    If war comes to our doorstep, we must be ready to fight for what is ours and defeat them to keep them from threatening us again.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. Your were eloquent in your writing. I simply responded since that is why I began writing and blogging. Never in an attempt to win, agree or disagree. Just to simply express and encourage discussion.

        It’s nothing personal, just thought I would add to the conversation, since that is what I desire myself. Meaningful and thoughtful conversation.

        Keep it up girl, voice your thoughts, concerns and opinions. The more we all participate, the better we will be able to hear each other out.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I do appreciate the sacrifices of individual soldiers. I just wish you guys didn’t have to sacrifice SO MUCH. As one who’s been there, I really appreciate your feedback.
      In martial arts, they teach that the best defense is avoiding a fight altogether. This is what I want. I only want people to think twice before demanding blood. I’m not sure if I succeeded in portraying that sentiment.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. Yes I’ve often thought of that, and we’ve had the same problem here in Australia. With the Australian Archbishop in court now, accused of covering up atrocities of his priests. It’s a hard one for me, I’m not religious, and I’m not a fan of the hypocritical catholic system, so much similar to a corporate conglomerate. So I might end being too critical and biased and children then being tangled up in my prejudices.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. I shall visit soon. I’m so disappointed in all the religions of the world, they really should be all getting together and be the foundation/platform of a world peace movement, but we never see any actions, you never see a summit meeting of all the religions leaders ??

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I can certainly appreciate these sentiments, to have a loved one sent to war….. But as some of the others have stated, I am grateful to those who stopped horrors. I wish there was a way to stop horrors without creating more horrors.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  13. I absolutely love this poem, so eloquent and powerful with social critique and impressive imagery. Yes, this is the key to change:
    “They will appeal to your humanity.
    But if you join them
    You become the monster. “

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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