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Open Poetry #7
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War Of The World (Repost for Parker's Earth Day Challenge)
| Open Poetry #7 |
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War Of The World (Repost for Parker's Earth Day Challenge) |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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WAR OF THE WORLD Before the dawn the planning starts In black and white from purple hearts. No conscience, no remorse for sins, From poison pens the war begins. The battle plans are then transferred To field generals who give the word. At the crack of dawn, we heed the cry, Firing at will until night claims the sky. Rigorously chopping out the trenches, We rip through fields, forests, and fences. Never letting anything stand in our way, We take another mile everyday. Laying mountains and oceans under siege, To please our leaders in feudatory liege. For the sake of our children, our homes, our wives, We attack our earth every day of our lives. Standing proud, claiming victory, A vacant field where forest used to be. Our triumphant leaders won't rest a night Till we're guided to the next battle site. When ordered, we chop down the trees. When ordered, we pollute the seas. When ordered, we blacken the sky. When ordered, we never ask why. For if we were to post opposition, Surely we would lose our position. And for all our leaders may have lost, It'would be our families suffering the cost. So with the welfare of our children in mind, We slowly rob our grandchildren blind. At the crack of dawn, voiceless as a mime, We destroy our earth one day at a time. The enemy, weary, weak and worn, Outnumbered, shambled, rent and torn, Gives almost no resistance at all. Each day, one closer to the fall. We take no prisoners, no lives we spare. But in all glory, power and might we fare, Will there really be a victory When mankind chops down the last tree? When the war's near over, this much is true, The final plans will come in shades of blue. The generals will unroll them with a smile, Giving the orders without reconcile. They'll be followed without a thought lost To just what, indeed, might be the cost. Setting the universal paradigm, We'll hurt our earth for the last time. How well will mankind be equipped With the skeleton of an earth we stripped? How well will mankind adhere With holes burnt in the atmosphere? The contaminated sea, no life giving, Not a sign of plant-life left living. The sky glowing brilliant, bright red, Mankind, fulfilling his quest, will be dead. But the earth we betrayed shall remain, With all it's allies, wind, fire, and rain. Who again in time will become pure, Finding perfect harmony with nature. Claiming, over mankind, the victor's prize, Mankind, whose greed led the battle cries. But, who, in never stopping to see their crime, Destroyed themselves one day at a time. Michael Anderson [This message has been edited by Michael (edited 04-15-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
Jeffrey Carter
since 2000-04-08
Posts 2367State of constant confusion! |
I'm disappointed in you.....NOT absolute perfection as always Jeffrey |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
Michael, I was hoping to see you post in the challenge. You sure didn't leave out any one point. I loved the progression in your poem of how we carefully laid out the plans and worked so blindly to our own demise. When the last man is dead the tombstone will read "We can proudly say we followed our orders to the end" RIP Great job. Challenge met. Parker.. Visit... http://www.earthday.net/ [This message has been edited by Haleyja (edited 04-15-2000).] |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Standing proud, claiming victory, A vacant field where forest used to be. Our triumphant leaders won't rest a night Till we're guided to the next battle site. When ordered, we chop down the trees. When ordered, we pollute the seas. When ordered, we blacken the sky. When ordered, we never ask why. For if we were to post opposition, Surely we would lose our position. And for all our leaders may have lost, It'would be our families suffering the cost. So with the welfare of our children in mind, We slowly rob our grandchildren blind. At the crack of dawn, voiceless as a mime, We destroy our earth one day at a time. ---------------------- How well will mankind be equipped With the skeleton of an earth we stripped? How well will mankind adhere With holes burnt in the atmosphere? The contaminated sea, no life giving, Not a sign of plant-life left living. The sky glowing brilliant, bright red, Mankind, fulfilling his quest, will be dead. But the earth we betrayed shall remain, With all it's allies, wind, fire, and rain. Who again in time will become pure, Finding perfect harmony with nature. Claiming, over mankind, the victor's prize, Mankind, whose greed led the battle cries. But, who, in never stopping to see their crime, Destroyed themselves one day at a time. ---------------------- M, I couldnt wait to click on this...I knew it would be awesome... as always you never let me down...this is powerful stuff here my friend...you speak the truth... you get to write mankinds Epitaph...who better(smile) take care, jm Well the sun sets gently on your shoulders And it makes me want to touch you there. And the light in your eyes makes me feel Like there's something much better out there Something kind... And I know someday I might be looking around Trying to find some purpose Well purpose it can't be that hard to find As long as I've got the wind... The wind and your love to carry me. vertical horizon |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
AMEN  |
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Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
-michael i'm w/ janet on this one, knew when i clicked on it an awesome post would be awaiting me. and boy was i right! this is not only intense and powerful but your words ring so true! it's a shame but in achieving our goals we will destory the one pure thing...earth. take care, great writing! amy  ~Live today as though it were your last but prepare for tomorrow as though it were here~ |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Perfection thy name is Michael Anderson..... |
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Mistikman Senior Member
since 2000-01-10
Posts 682San Jose, CA, USA |
I dunno what else to say but wow. This is powerful and eloquent. It delivers the message with a sledgehammer. great work as always Michael. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Parker, when I wrote this poem I was actually working pipeline. So much of this I witnessed first hand - the ripping through of forest - chopping trenches - taking another mile everyday. I woke up one morning at sunset and looked over to see some of the most beautiful Earth I'd ever seen in shambles. It grieved me deeply. even, still, I feel I have no voice to protest. I applaude the Earth Day campaign. It gives hope where none seemed to be before. Thank you for bringing it to all of our attention. Thank you all for the kind replies. Michael |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
Michael, it seems that we are slaves to big business, the government, and all the self serving corporations. Thank God for groups like Green Peace and the like, without their counter balance I think we would be gone long ago. I feel sorry that you were forced to witness the carnage that they did for the pipeline. The good thing is that a poet like yourself was their to put it to memory and share the tragedy of it. Parker |
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Parker Member Elite
since 2000-01-06
Posts 3129ON |
Back to the top with this one, don't want them to forget Earth Day. |
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netswan Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369Washington |
Michael, this is a masterpiece. How did I miss this one. Thanks Parker, for throwing it back up to the top. --- Such a strong way to get a point across. Well met for Earth Day, Michael! netswan |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Brought back for Earth Day. Michael |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
Such a powerful reminder... good job! "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
A very powerful piece, Michael. You have a fascinating way with the written word. Corinne |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
HAPPY EARTH DAY M,  THANK YOU FOR THE HELP!! YOUR THE MODERATOR WITH THE MOST (SMILE) BTTT! Well the sun sets gently on your shoulders And it makes me want to touch you there. And the light in your eyes makes me feel Like there's something much better out there Something kind... And I know someday I might be looking around Trying to find some purpose Well purpose it can't be that hard to find As long as I've got the wind... The wind and your love to carry me. vertical horizon |
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