navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #41 » Waging War on Society
Open Poetry #41
Post A Reply Post New Topic Waging War on Society Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218


0 posted 2007-09-27 08:28 PM


Waging war on society,
creating global injustice
in the name of security or profit:  
does that really work?
Does this make us “better”?
Longer-lived; morally superior?
Does it not just bring us closer
to some catastrophic downfall
of a world that has turned its back
on sharing and understanding?

If history shows anything at all,
it is that continually waging wars
has never brought forth
the “intended results”–
namely –
given individuals or nations
the peace and security they crave.

All violence is not evil –
but violence planned
to achieve some selfish goal
at another’s expense,
at the cost of another’s life
or livelihood: that is pure evil.

All the wars waged by man
upon this benighted world
fall in this latter category:
there has never been a “just war” -
only “just more war” -
for wars create enemies;
and “enemies” are fed by fear, anger, hate
and a desperate need
to get even if it takes a thousand years.

Kindergarten lesson number one:
Wars, by their very nature
are not waged against enemies:
they are waged against society;
against what we call life;
against all; against our self.

© Copyright 2007 Sharran WindWalker - All Rights Reserved
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
1 posted 2007-09-27 09:48 PM


AMEN!!!!!!!!  

[Superb and (obviously) timely, 'powerful' write!]

very serious, long-sustained applause!!

[A major 'lesson of History' also seems to be that
  humans have a strange, deep and destructive 'need'
  to focus on and emphasize 'differences' (of
  ethnicity, religion, nationality; etc.)...which
  seems to be the major well-spring of intolerance,
  prejudice, bigotry, violence, war; etc...humanity
  needs a grand-collective 'attitude adjustment'...
  a mass 'redirect' (more than even just a 'global'
  perspective) to a Universalist/'Deep-Time'  
  paradigm...if we could begin to focus instead on
  the scintillating cosmos of 'infinite  
  potentialities' beyond our fragile 'lifeship'
  Earth...our Earthbound 'differences' would
  quickly pale to insignificance against such a
  backdrop...our few true 'essential needs' make us
  far more alike than different!]
  

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
2 posted 2007-09-27 11:52 PM


Indeed, tit-for-tat, an eye-for-an-eye mentality just serves to blind everyone.
War never solves the underlying global issues of inequality and injustice, never puts us closer to security and Peace.
And on another level, will we ever accept the fundamental truth, that Humans do not own the solitary right to inhabit the universe?

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
3 posted 2007-09-28 01:00 AM


Wow! secondhandreampoet and midnitesun, profound thinkers. Things are looking up.
Wonderful, thought provoking poem.
                                Ida

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
4 posted 2007-09-28 01:10 AM


Windwalker, It's so nice to read something one can sink their teeth into for a change.
Not that I have anything against roses, butterflies and lost love but sometimes it's nice to think on more serious matters.
                                     Ida

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2007-09-28 05:33 AM


A nice laying out of your thoughts...James
ArtSolstice
Member
since 2007-03-18
Posts 498

6 posted 2007-09-29 07:11 PM


This is so good it's scary. Well done, WW!
Ethan Halo
Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793
on the roof again
7 posted 2007-09-29 08:20 PM


you've summed up many of the things that i just want to scream at some people sometimes.

the only good wars were [original] the star wars trilogy.

The soul is oftentimes a battlefield where reason and judgement wage war on passion and appetite.

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
8 posted 2007-09-29 11:37 PM




"Kindergarten lesson number one"

yes WindWalker
a lesson not yet learned

well done

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2007-09-30 03:31 AM


Every letter of every syllable of every word you say could not be more true.  However, if 9 of us in one poetry forum (and that is not counting those yet to read and agree, nor those who don't get to read this poem) agree so vociferously, then there is still hope for the world.  

If we could all be activists in our communities with the aim to activate whole communities and municipalities and countries and international institutions, perhaps we would be taking one small step towards World Peace.  I firmly believe in its possibility, although I am not exactly cynical (but close) about its probability.  I think our worst enemy is APATHY.  I am the secretary for Sector Policing Forum in the area in which I live, and my son is the chairman.  (The system of Sector Policing Forums in South Africa is NOT a vigilante organisation but an organisation brought about by the police, to help them in their job, to improve the community's perception of the police, to get the community to co-operate the police, to monitor the work of the police and to hold the police accountable for their actions - or lack of action.  We work our butts off to do all of these things, but our greatest enemies are not crime (thought that's a biggy) and related issues, but laziness, selfishness and APATHY.

- Owl

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
10 posted 2007-09-30 03:35 AM


Oops!  I left out "with" in co-operate "with the police", but can't edit it as my entry isn't showing for me yet.  I could only see it in the Print version when I was saving it in my Windwalker folder.

- Owl

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
11 posted 2007-09-30 05:58 PM


WW's Wage On War, is 'Write' on!

"there has never been a “just war” -
only “just more war” -
for wars create enemies;
and “enemies” are fed by fear, anger, hate"

~ Exactly! If only there was more love in this world, there would not be room for the fear that leads to anger and hate.

Well stated! ~ and I totally concur!

Love, Harmony and World Peace,

EA

[This message has been edited by Earth Angel (09-30-2007 08:48 PM).]

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
12 posted 2007-09-30 08:19 PM


Well worth another read, and to add to my library!
secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
13 posted 2007-09-30 08:33 PM


returned here for another 'visit'!

grand-important 'write' (and wonderful responses by Ms. "OwlSA" and others as well!)

continuing crescendo of applause!!

wandering glider
Senior Member
since 2001-04-04
Posts 501
aloft
14 posted 2007-09-30 10:23 PM


Enjoyed the read, WW.
Before you write on this topic again, consider the argument that the human species is inherently a tribal animal and has yet to rise above that level of comity, on the whole.  It may not have the capacity for anything more.
Conflict will not end soon.

~glider~

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
15 posted 2007-10-01 04:20 PM


Windwalker,
    If you have never read "The War Prayer" by Mark Twain, Google it and read it. I think you will enjoy it.
                                   Ida

Edward Grim
Senior Member
since 2005-12-18
Posts 1154
Greenville, South Carolina
16 posted 2007-10-01 05:10 PM


Bravo, Wind! This is the paradigm of political poetry. Incredible piece of work!

Ed

"Well I wish that you would cheat with someone, 'cause you're like diggin' holes in water and we know that can't be done."

ArtSolstice
Member
since 2007-03-18
Posts 498

17 posted 2007-10-01 08:19 PM


WW, I've been revisiting this write since you posted it, and now I'm directing others to it. I can't add a reply as well said and on-target as Owl, Midnitesun or DreamPoet, but please know this write is being appreciated by many.
WindWalker
Senior Member
since 2001-10-12
Posts 1218

18 posted 2007-10-02 05:51 PM


Thank you all for your comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #41 » Waging War on Society

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary