War brings such horrendous scenerios, it is not a matter to be ignored or taken lightly. I fear for every citizen the world over who would be affected by a deadly war. It is just so, so sad we don't find a better way to coexist.
A most heartfelt thank-you to a very talented poet, Faye Sizemore, for this introductory poem
Warrior Once...Homeless Now
Just an old soldier
Running from an old war
Racing until I can run no more
racing toward an unknown chore
.............Passing time
Passing time... until I am no more
I surface to the sun
the race is lost and nearly done
faint and devoid of fight
living in the dust of twiight
.............passing time
Passing time...until I am no more
living unseen in the shadows
forsaking hope of tomorrows
a coming of age has found all matters naught
just existing today in the snares of others caught
.................passing time
passing time ...until I am no more
Look at these men!
struggling to learn the art of war
working in perfect unison
just like their forefathers before
Why does it have to be this way?
Tell me, please!
Why does it seem we're always at war?
Why can't we struggle just the same
to learn the art of peace instead
Why do people have to play the game
where human beings wind up dead?
Have you hugged your brother today?
If not, give him a squeeze
before he leaves out that door!
For you may never get another chance
to hold him close or look him in the eye
say, "I love you!" at his backward glance
as he marches off to hell.....to do or die!
Who knows what his tomorrow holds in store?
Tell me, please!
Does anybody really, truly care anymore?
Will you be here for him with open arms
if and when he should finally return?
Will you be able to reverse the harms
inflicted on his psyche, forever to burn?
Will war whips lash today's soldier's core?
Tell me, please!
What have we learned from Veterans of yore?
Have we learned nothing from the past
doomed forever to ride this carousel
policing each nation down to the last
fearing finatics who wish to send us to hell?
Do you have your mask ready, my friend?
Tell me, please!
Will there be anybody left to defend...in the end?
Will the cycle repeat with each generation
war serpents rising to strike man's heel anew
slithering up from hell toward every nation
reeking of bitter hatred, its venom to spew?
Will we crush his head this time around?
Tell me, please!
Will we ever be able to put our weapons down?
A father went off to war one morning
waving farewell with love in his eye
hearing inside that "Don't go!" warning.
How could he know it was his time to die?
Wasn't he the epitomy of struggling man?
Tell me, please!
What part of "cease" don't some understand?
If we must strike that first horrific blow,
pummel the enemy into blood-thirsty ground,
make a swift and sure end of it, G.I. Joe,
for soon, we'll need you for another round.
Isn't this endless battle just simply grand?
Tell me, please!
How much more of this can our world truly stand?
Flagrant lies are to some the weapon of choice
to forestall an eager world as long as they can
hoping soon they will hear a divided voice
tearing apart the weary heart of a United Land.
Oh, can we not see the writing on the wall?
Tell me, please!
Can it be, we're unable to stop the fall?
Are we doomed to live our tomorrows
in total terror of an elusive deadly foe
fated to endure torcherous sorrows
inflicted by those slithering to and fro?
How many must lose their lives from war inane?
Tell me, please!
Can we as humans halt the circle of pain?
This struggle for peace is so horribly sad
wearing down those who know the score
Blind men don't miss what they've never had...
freedom from a life of blood guts and gore
Can we not seek peace without resorting to war?
Tell me, please!
Does anyone have a bolt for this revolving door?
Without God's grace, there go you and I...
blindly dancing to a satanic song
foolish souls fanning the flames of a lie
oblivious to pleas for peace from a leary throng
What of the commandment that killing is wrong?
Tell me, please!
Does anybody truly know as we struggle along...
if we can break the yoke of the oppressed
when we advance to challenge the foe
Or will we merely stoke the flames...the heat
of innocent cheeks in the arena of human games?
How many more will end up blind, deaf or lame?
Tell me, please!
Aren't you glad you're not listed among their names?
There are not enough tears for the innocent ones
who will not escape the bomb about to fall
unable to run or hide from the approaching guns
Who will be next to die when war comes to call?
Oh, not to worry... we can always erect another wall.
Tell me, please!
Will more war solve our problems once and for all?
We can always point the finger at the other guys
justify their murders as being all their fault
if only they weren't hell-bent on telling those lies
we would have abandoned our plans of assault
Even that stance must be taken with a grain of salt
Tell me, please!
In the name of love and peace, will we ever learn to halt?
"Death to an American!" one newspaper said
along with the offer of a fine reward
"It doesn't matter which one ends up dead!"
one angry soul doth historically record
Wake up, world! 'Tis no time to be bored!
Tell me, please!
Which American must suffer the sword?
Should it be the English, French or Greek
the Italian, Irish, Spanish or Chinese
the German, Polish or the Swede
the African, Australian, or Japanese
the Iranian, Asian, or the Arab
the Mexican, Canadian or Israeli
the Russian, Roman, or Afghan
the Phillipino or the Pakistani?
Gee, there are so many choices you see
Tell me, please!
Which one of these Americans must it be...
the Osage, Blackfoot or Cherokee
the Navaho, Apache or maybe one of these:
the Christian, Muslim or Buddhist
and God forbid we forget the Jewish?
Can you think of others to add to the list?
Tell me, please!
Have you not seen the torch in Lady Liberty's fist?
She hails your hungry, weak and poor
your huddled masses yearning to breath free
the wretched refuse from your teeming shore
and she does it all for no reward, you see.
So, why can't we simply stop this insanity?
Tell me, please!
How long before true victory?
Must God Almighty return to end it all?
Can peace not be, unless more blood is shed?
Aren't enough names engraved on The Wall
or must we carve another, reflecting our dead?
Oh God, help us as we make our bed!
Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD , make me dwell in safety.
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort
to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 8:6
The mind of sinful man is death,
but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
Isaiah 58:6
Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness,
to undo the heavy burdens,
and to let the oppressed go free,
and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 32:17
And the work of righteousness shall be peace;
and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
Isaiah 55:12
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace:
the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 57:19
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace,
peace to him that is far off,
and to him that is near, saith the LORD;
and I will heal him.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace;
that bringeth good tidings of good,
that publisheth salvation;
that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
All night I prayed for peace
until the amber dawn
shown on my face
Lord, if it is not to be,
then I pray...
send us swift victory!
The etheral mists of morn
float among the barren trees
The cardinals red flashes
Are seen among these
Lord, still I pray,
If not peace...victory!
Even though full in the sun
fears of the night have not run
What will be brought this day
No one but the almighty can say
Lord, Lord, still I beg of thee,
send us peace...or swift victory!
O, but that we could bolt the door
Leading to unconscionable war,
That we could old warriors' lessons learn
Before war says it's our turn,
That we could reduce guns and armaments
to plowshares' peaceful effects,
O, that if they called a war today
we would as a united body turn to say,
"Hell No,
We won't go!"
O, that great day when we achieve peace
Peace that will not cease.
How beautiful the peaceful thought
By God on the highest wrought...
Matthew 18:1-3
"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
And Jesus called a little child unto Him,
and set him in the midst of them, and said,
"Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted
and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosover therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name
receiveth me.'"
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