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Balladeer
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0 posted 2003-04-10 11:47 PM



They're dancing in the streets tonight as statues tumble down.
They spit upon the head of he who once had worn the crown.
The Baghdad night is filled with voices screaming with elation
As young and old join hands to celebrate their liberation.

I thought of writing something clever - cute things I could say
Like "Saddam Hussein and Little Miss Muffett had 'curds in their whey' "
But somewhere in the USA a mother mourns her son
And Basra mothers cry for theirs, now silenced by the gun.

Some British eyes won't see again dear England's countryside.
The desert sand will mark the final place they fought and died.
Some cities lie in ruins - many lives in turmoil lay.
When war comes calling there are prices many people pay.

Our history is filled with wars - it's always been that way.
Can they be justified or not? Well, I'm not one to say.
I'd like to dream that men could live with rationality
But, when that trait is absent, war becomes necessity.

The stories now come out of torture and brutality,
The executions, murders, rapes the world chose not to see.
Although there will be growing pains to reach democracy
At last the people who have lived in terror are now free.

I'll view results with somber mood - my hands will not applaud.
I'll say prayers for the soldiers on both sides who live with God.
I'm satisfied that what was done had needed to be done
But, as in every war there is, nobody really won.

I'm happy for Iraqi people and their liberation
They've earned the right to raise their voices loud in celebration
Yet, somewhere in my mind, I seem to hear a small voice say,
"The world will never be the same as it was yesterday."

.
.
.
(this poem was not writtenas pro or anti-American, nor as pro or anti-war and, hopefully, it will not invite comments of that kind. It is simply a portrait of what my bittersweet feelings are as I watch events unfold nightly on my tv)

[This message has been edited by Balladeer (04-10-2003 11:49 PM).]

© Copyright 2003 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Brad Majors
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Georgia
1 posted 2003-04-11 12:40 PM


Interesting perspective !
Poet deVine
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2 posted 2003-04-11 12:44 PM


Very thoughtful, sir.
SPIRIT
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California Desert
3 posted 2003-04-11 01:08 AM


Fantastic write, not one bit of disagreement from me - wish I could have said it as well.
lucky
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Idaho
4 posted 2003-04-11 02:04 AM


so do you think we will regain our favor in the world's eyes..?

dale



Speaking of ghosts, and after such an eternity. . .wouldn't you know, here comes mine again...
~Rosemary J. Gwaltney~

[This message has been edited by lucky (04-11-2003 02:06 AM).]

Mysteria
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5 posted 2003-04-11 02:07 AM


I can only feel the sadness of one mother's heart for another.  You went straight to my heart with this one.  I would like to say this covered it well, and with respect.  Enjoyed this very much Michael.


passing shadows
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displaced
6 posted 2003-04-11 02:16 AM


nice ending line...a bittersweet/sadhappy feeling in me has been present since the start...watching it all unfold...yeah, I know.
lost_star
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since 2003-03-15
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NY, U.S.A
7 posted 2003-04-11 02:28 AM


Great piece!
Dark Angel
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since 1999-08-04
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8 posted 2003-04-11 02:42 AM


Beautifully written 'Deer

adding this to my library.


garysgirl
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9 posted 2003-04-11 03:40 AM


Michael, my feelings exactly.
Very good, Sir.
Hugs,
Ethel

Paul Wilson
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10 posted 2003-04-11 04:03 AM


Michael...Very professionally done.

Yet, somewhere in my mind, I seem to hear a small voice say,
"The world will never be the same as it was yesterday."

"Time will write the final verse for all of us"
Paul

"To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you"

JamesMichael
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11 posted 2003-04-11 05:12 AM


I also have bittersweet feelings when it comes to war...James
Sunshine
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12 posted 2003-04-11 06:48 AM



It's the knowledge that the world will never be the place
that He had once looked down upon but still, we ask He grace
the families that lost so much, before and even after...
and one day may the world unite, in love, and peace, and laughter...

~*~

Thank you, Sir!

Nan
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13 posted 2003-04-11 09:01 AM


You've possibly noticed that I haven't commented on any of the discussion threads that debate the validity of this war on terrorism.  That's not for lack of caring, but more for lack of ability to change the direction of the world's happenings.  I do feel as deeply as everyone, however.  I feel much like you've so eloquently said in this poem, m'friend... Thank you for your wise words... as always...
Enchantress
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Canada eh.
14 posted 2003-04-11 09:05 AM


Thank you Michael..excellent as always!
~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

regards2you
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15 posted 2003-04-11 09:19 AM




This poem seems to have been written from your heart and mind and soul.

The title says it all.

Thank you for this.


Hugs, Pat

..without surrender, be on good terms with all persons..
        "Desiderata"

scorpio
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right...there
16 posted 2003-04-11 09:23 AM


"But somewhere in the USA a mother mourns her son
And Basra mothers cry for theirs, now silenced by the gun."

This line sombers the celebration and touches on the true impact of this battle...well done Michael..

believe in what your heart feels...

NewEnglandlazurlu
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A Mountain Paradise
17 posted 2003-04-11 12:48 PM


Michael, I think most of us have mixed emotions and jubilation of the sights we have seen on the TV. When the statue of Saddam came down and the people burst into roars and cheers, I cried. However, as your poem points out, there is much grief and sadness also. Several of our friends have sons on the front lines with the Third Infantry Division and we worry and pray constantly for their safety.

Our history is filled with wars - it's always been that way.
Can they be justified or not? Well, I'm not one to say.
I'd like to dream that men could live with rationality
But, when that trait is absent, war becomes necessity.


Words of great wisdom to ponder and pray about.

Hugs for Peace, Marti


Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.  A.Einstein

nakdthoughts
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Between the Lines
18 posted 2003-04-11 01:29 PM


Yet, somewhere in my mind, I seem to hear a small voice say,
"The world will never be the same as it was yesterday..


the world is ever changing, Michael and change is the only constant in life...

well done
hugsss
M

SmartChick
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On A Journey To The Unknown
19 posted 2003-04-11 02:10 PM


Balladeer, you have written this very well. And,spoke for many. I feel the same as you. It is so sad to think about all of the innocent lives that have been lost. Glad to see you here!
morefiah
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Spanish Town, Jamaica
20 posted 2003-04-11 02:14 PM


And you have touched this heart with your words. You are right; regardless of what one believes in terms of the right or wrong of the war, human beings died on both sides and that is something worth mourning. I share your views on this. Thank you for a beautiful, yet thought provoking write.

Garfield

Mistletoe Angel
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21 posted 2003-04-11 02:30 PM




(big hugggsssssss) What really troubles me is how those who are speaking their opinions and being backlashed in return is happening. I fear that as history changes because of this, so will the idea of "freedom of speech" and "freedom" overall. All Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks said was she was ashamed George Bush came from Texas, and in return a tractor crushes their CDs in Louisiana, they're dumped from every radio station, and the Marshall Tucker Band is preparing an anti-Chicks concert in Georgia for May. There's the absence of "freedom of speech" for you!

I too had mixed feelings when the statue of Saddam was toppled over. I heard every single person on the news cheering, but meanwhile when the Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder stomped on a mask of Bush at his Denver concert, people thought it was like he was beheading someone at a primitive tribal ritual. Whatever happened to the whole Christian doctrine of forgiveness and "turning the other cheek". That was my reaction when I saw the Saddam statue falling.

And then there's Tim Robbins speaking out at the Baseball Hall of Fame about war and that he feels baseball is a Republican sport and in response him and Susan Sarandon's 15th anniversary celebration of "Bull Durham" is cancelled! That just really ticked me off, especially when the organizor of the event mailed him a letter and said they cancelled it because his remarks "would put the troops in danger". Whoever came up with that philosophy that if you don't believe in war you don't support the troops? That certainly isn't true, and I must admit I grinned when I found out that Tim Robbins wrote a letter in response to the organizor and added a baseball quote, ""Long live democracy, free speech and the '69 Mets -- all improbable, glorious miracles that I have always believed in."

I have a feeling the world is going to chance in many inconceivable ways, and while I have many strong feelings I am not ashamed to share, all I can do is pray, as that is the most reasonable approach to make, and blessed be the peacekeepers! You have such a beautiful heart, thank you for sharing!



May love and light always shine upon you!

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton


"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

[This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (04-11-2003 03:26 PM).]

WhiteRose
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22 posted 2003-04-11 02:33 PM


Freedom always comes with a price. It is a sad fact of life, but a fact nonetheless.


Seymour Tabin
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Tamarac Fla
23 posted 2003-04-11 02:44 PM


Mike,
You didn't amaze me with this piece. I was amazed the first time I met you. Sy

Martie
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24 posted 2003-04-11 02:45 PM


Michael...

"I'm satisfied that what was done had needed to be done
But, as in every war there is, nobody really won."

Your thoughtful poem says so much of what I am feeling right now...thank you.  


suthern
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25 posted 2003-04-11 03:28 PM


When war comes calling there are prices many people pay.

I think I'll ditto Seymour here. *S* For I've learned to expect excellence from your pen... and a thoughtful, respectful heart. *S* Wonderful work, Deer One. *S*

Denise
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26 posted 2003-04-11 04:13 PM


My heart aches as well for everyone who has been lost on both sides and for their families. Excellent expression, Michael.
Earth Angel
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Realms of Light
27 posted 2003-04-11 04:15 PM


A tasteful, sensitive, emotive, and informative poem of historic importance... A fine piece of writing.

Peace, Love & Light,
Linda

Flower
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28 posted 2003-04-11 04:55 PM


Wonderfully said.

Love reading all these great writes.
I write not!

Midnitesun
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Gaia
29 posted 2003-04-11 04:58 PM


'Tis a mournful sad dance, I think, inspite of the appearance of gaiety.
Well written, Michael.  

Patricia
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Missouri
30 posted 2003-04-11 07:43 PM


Thankyou for expressing so beautifully what I believe most Americans feel in their hearts.  
Kethry
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Victoria Australia
31 posted 2003-04-11 07:55 PM


Michael,
this is so sensitive, it is almost a prayer. If the world needs nothing else right now it needs prayers. I think this poem falls into the category of "the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous man does much." I pray with you that the world may learn from this war as they have not learned in the past. I too grieve for the lost on both sides of the war.
Lynne

Here in the midst of my lonely abyss, a single joy I find...your presence in my mind.  Unknown



Balladeer
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32 posted 2003-04-11 08:52 PM


Lucky...the world's eyes will see whatever they want to see.....or are told to see.

Noah..the Dixie Chick exercised her right of free speech in her comments and the population exercised theirs in bashing her...or was freedom of speech only supposed to apply to her?

Thank you all for your kind comments. To me, cheering a war is really a sad thing. It's like cheering when the murderer of your family member gets convicted. Yes, you are relieved that justice has been done but you wish it had never been necessary, especially at a cost of life. The liberated Iraqi may call it the greatest day of his life...the liberated Iraqi mother who lost a son may consider it the worst. It's all in your manner of perspective, I suppose.

Bless you all...

Gina Culliney
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Posts 170

33 posted 2003-04-12 05:38 PM


It is sad mankind has not learned the greatest lessons of all time. Brootherhood and peace. Good use of words penned down on paper.  Bless all our soldiers and their families for being there for us all.
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