The Mortar's Whump - a repost from'06 - nothing has changed

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Open Poetry #48

The Mortar's Whump - a repost from'06 - nothing has changed

Krawdad
Member Elite

since 2001-01-03

Posts 2597

0 posted 2013-07-04 02:35 PM

          The Mortar's Whump

          After an anthem that praises
          the rocket's red glare
          and bombs bursting . . .
          firemen here play with fire
          to an eager crowd,
          anticipating.

          When the night is full enough
          to hide the battery's details,
          it begins.
          Tons of phosphorus whites rise
          cobalt blues burst
          blood reds glow
          and fire yellows cascade.
          It goes on and on.
          It is quite a show.

          Curious,
          how we have prettified
          the tools of war and gore
          into a noisy carnival party
          to take the children to.
          But I recall the drop
          of metal shells into metal tubes
          and I hear something else.

          Mortar after mortar,
          the huge finale is deafening!
          An all out attack!
          The cheers go up!
          The horns are sounded!
          Bravo!  Bravo!

          The smoke drifts off with the spectators,
          but at midnight, as though the battle
          was on again,
          a tactic to disturb the enemy's sleep,
          the miswired and the misfired
          are set off, sent aloft.
          Surprise!

          No one is left to cheer.

          Could we have another anthem, please,
          one that praises something else?

          There is so much more.

          There is  so   much    more . . .

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

1 posted 2013-07-05 03:56 AM

This hits hard in the solar plexus, Ed. You portrayed the reality with art and your inimitable excellence.

Owl

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California

2 posted 2013-07-05 05:59 PM

Thought provoking piece, Krawdad, as your poems always are.
Ida

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

3 posted 2013-07-06 09:03 PM

Fine writing...James

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

4 posted 2013-07-08 09:41 AM

Very impressive, Krawdad, and I totally agree with your question and with your conclusive affirmation.

Margherita

Juju
Member Elite

since 2003-12-29

Posts 3429
In your dreams

5 posted 2013-07-08 09:53 AM

It is hard for most people to think of such things.

Juju

-Juju

-"So you found a girl
Who thinks really deep thoughts
What's so amazing about really deep thoughts " Silent all these Years, Tori Amos

Lori Grosser Rhoden
Member Patricius

since 2009-10-10

Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere

6 posted 2013-07-10 07:46 AM

Thank you for your perspective. I'm sure the 4th can be hard on many Vetrans. Celebrations shouldn't be triggers to hell.

Lori

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