»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #16
»
Holy War
| Open Poetry #16 |
|
Holy War |
|
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
|
HOLY WAR Quiet lingers all about today, As silence seems to overpower thought. Is sanity another shade of gray? This isolation really what I've sought? I look to see a deeper shade of blue, Though not a plane today dares touch the sky; And the news may hold fascination for you, But the horror of this day will never die. So sit and smile, well hid in you caverns, Today watching Babylon's towers fall; Though human life holds not to you concerns, In the forcing of your beliefs on all... Forever hence, the banners shall fly true; That all may know the furor of a flag, Raising once more the Old Red White and Blue, From Pendleton, all the way to Ft. Bragg. Still, History might hold some clues for you, (With surety all oppression pervades), Who thrust your will on others as All True, Having not learned a thing from the Crusades. The check's in the mail, open if you dare; Self-righteousness seen both here and abroad. How is it that you draw without a care The vanity to think you speak for God? A million deities, all overhead, And every other man condemned to hell; How many must we toss unto our dead, Till we finally bring to light the infidel? And what is it we gain when all seems lost? Humanity, itself, writhing in the cause; But chance to serve some Holy Holocaust Through the immorality of mortal laws. Today five-thousand men take up your cross, To bring that which you cherish more than pride; The grief and toil we suffer at their loss -- Not near enough to leave you satisfied? Such obstinacy, inherent at birth, Might serve to name a madman conqueror. But I'll speak my two cents for what it's worth; Mankind will never fight a "Holy War." A price paid time again throughout the years, Inflicting on others values we exalt; Purchasing new generations of tears, The God-given right left to us by default. All liberties imbued, all bread unleaven, Is Hope beyond the passion of my pen? -- To think one day we all could share a heaven, Not paid for with the blood of other men. Michael R. Anderson [This message has been edited by Michael (edited 11-07-2001).] |
||
| © Copyright 2001 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
The Lady of Shallot Senior Member
since 2001-10-03
Posts 818USA |
I hope to see this with 3 or 4 pages of replies..it's remarkable and left me quite speechless.....thank you for a powerful read. -befriend yourself and you will never be alone- |
||
|
wornways Member
since 2001-10-18
Posts 204CA, USA |
me speachless, too. well done. i'll be looking to see what others say. |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
To have a dream... This is wonderful, Michael - Each one of your works just seems to outshine the last... simply awesome!!..  |
||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you Michael. There is nothing holy about any war, no matter who starts it, fights it, or finishes it. And how dare we presume to speak for GOD? Yet we all do at one time or another, and each side seems to think they are right, and each side says GODALLAH is on their side. I think if I were God, I'd be getting really bored with the stupidity of mankind. Mankind...the very word is oxymoronic at times. Hold your young child close, always, and pray that your dreams for Peace on Earth can become a reality some day. Thank you for your well thought-out, well written post. PEACE to you, and all other living things on Earth. |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
A price paid time again throughout the years, Inflicting on others values we exalt; Purchasing new generations of tears, The God-given right left to us by default. All liberties imbued, all bread unleaven, Is Hope beyond the passion of my pen? -- To think one day we all could share a heaven, Not paid for with the blood of other men. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INCREDIBLE writing here Michael!! Left me just staring at the screen! Very well said indeed! ~hugs, Nancy~ ~I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before.~ |
||
|
wornways Member
since 2001-10-18
Posts 204CA, USA |
there is a great poem by robert service called "God's Grief". let's see if i can find it... ah: God's Grief "Lord God of Hosts," the people pray, "Make strong our arms that we may slay Our cursed foe and win the day." "Lord God of Battles," cries the foe, "Guide us to strike a bloody blow, And lay the adversary low." But brooding o'er the battle smother Bewails the Lord: "Brother to brother, Why must ye slaughter one another? When will ye come to understand My peace, and hand reach out to hand, In every race, in every land?" And yet, his weary words despite, Went murderously on the fight, Till God from mankind hid His sight, Saying: "Poor children, must you gain To brotherhood through millions slain? --Was anguish on the Cross in vain?" --- Robert Service the poem mixed with the last commented brought this poem of service's to mind. |
||
|
serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
chills here Michael. I keep this one, written with a quiet passion and staunch determination--the best that I have read on this subject, well worth the wait! |
||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
You never fail to find just the right words to say what needs to be said. You have been one of the premiere poets at Passions since it opened and I'm always excited to see your name on the list of posts. They are far too few for me though!  |
||
|
Kevin
since 1999-11-02
Posts 729Torrington, Ct, Usa |
always will be the best  |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Nice to see you back, Michael...and in your normal excellent form |
||
|
Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
"So sit and smile, well hid in you caverns, Today watching Babylon's towers fall; Though human life holds not to you concerns, In the forcing of your beliefs on all..." "And what is it we gain when all seems lost? Humanity, itself, writhing in the cause; But chance to serve some Holy Holocaust Through the immorality of mortal laws." This is superb Michael ... so thoroughly thought out and poignant. You've captured so many of the aspects that I myself have been having such trouble with these days. Your line: "-- To think one day we all could share a heaven," grabbed me hard, and shook me up a bit. It's a profound statement, and you composed it beautifully within the depths of these lines. Excellent writing Michael ... always my pleasure to read your words. Best wishes, /Kit |
||
|
Aimster Member Elite
since 2000-02-19
Posts 4297Charlotte, NC |
Michael- no one writes it like you do!! this was just so powerful...i read it twice and thought of the perfect comment to make, and all i can truly say is your dream is beautiful and your words are so well crafted and enlightening... the ending gave me real hope for our future. thank you for this!! take care. amy "I could kiss you in |
||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Quiet lingers all about today, As silence seems to overpower thought. Is sanity another shade of gray? This isolation really what I've sought? I look to see a deeper shade of blue, Though not a plane today dares touch the sky; And the news may hold fascination for you, But the horror of this day will never die. ==================== The check's in the mail, open if you dare; Self-righteousness seen both here and abroad. How is it that you draw without a care The vanity to think you speak for God? A million deities, all overhead, And every other man condemned to hell; How many must we toss unto our dead, Till we finally bring to light the infidel? And what is it we gain when all seems lost? Humanity, itself, writhing in the cause; But chance to serve some Holy Holocaust Through the immorality of mortal laws. ================================= A price paid time again throughout the years, Inflicting on others values we exalt; Purchasing new generations of tears, The God-given right left to us by default. All liberties imbued, all bread unleaven, Is Hope beyond the passion of my pen? -- To think one day we all could share a heaven, Not paid for with the blood of other men. ====================================== add my name to the list of above awe-striken. many lines in this powerful write effected me...but this one..... Though not a plane today dares touch the sky; This one went thru me...I live by a small plane & private jet "business mans" airport... they have always flown over low .... and before 9/11 I loved the sights and sounds of them... now every low one gives me chills.... we are forever changed by the loss of innocence and naivety of that day..each in our own way and together as one nation and one world. superb cadence is the gift wrap for this outstanding piece of work. well done poet M. jm I can be your hero baby ... I will kiss away the pain |
||
|
Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Michael!!!!  Great to see you. And all I can say to the poem is Amen. Very well done. God bless America, my home sweet home. |
||
|
RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Your rhyme, rhythm and cadence are always exact. And there is no holy in war. Enjoyed. "Happy people have no history" - French Proverb |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
