Let's Bomb Baghdad (1958) - pipTalk Forums

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RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

0 posted 2002-09-27 04:59 PM

Two boys marshal forces in the sand
a battleground earth easily molded

around the inflexible aggressive pose
frozen on their plastic soldiers.

Bored, they rise donning little stetsons,
boots and silver cap guns arguing who

gets to be the bad guy, for no fun will
be had until the first shot is fired.

Further disagreements relate to accuracy
and the order of forced, feigned death.

There'll be no injuns. Too many peanut
buttered lunches in front of the achro-

matic images of Tex Houston taught that
only armed white men were noble challenges.

An afternoon of dodge-ball, a weeding of
younger, slower, weaker by the swift and

strong whose reward is delivery of pain's
sting. An evening in slack jawed reverence

to tales from elders of the teaming of
men, the security of the padded uniform,

or the Ban Lon ducktailed fodder, Lucky
Strikes hammocked in shirtsleeves, the

secret society of the sucker punch and
hints of the promise of darker days.

Then on to sleep where dreams align with Mars.

"Happy people have no history" - French Proverb

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

1 posted 2002-09-27 05:13 PM

I wish I didn't understand a word of this, but I do.
Peace to you.
Hold onto those PBJ's, you may need them soon.

Irie
Senior Member

since 1999-12-01

Posts 1493
Washington State

2 posted 2002-09-27 05:31 PM

I’m not 100% sure if I understand all of this or not, but I think I do.
And if I am correct, I am with midnitesun and wish I didn’t.
Then again, I guess I can’t close my eyes to everything….
~*Sigh*~

~Sheri

"Don't wait for your ship to come in ...
Swim out to it"

Crazy Eddie
Member

since 2002-09-14

Posts 178

3 posted 2002-09-27 07:44 PM

The way I understand it is that kids that are spoon-fed violence via toys and games when they are young are possibly anaesthetised against the violence in the world around them as they grow up. It also offers the idea that the people doing the fighting now are the same kids - only with bigger toys.

You used the two time frames over the two poems to good effect, different toys same result and the Iraqi reference in the title was a good device to focus the mind.

Thanks for the chance to read and reply

[This message has been edited by Crazy Eddie (09-27-2002 07:46 PM).]

Sandpiper
Senior Member

since 2002-06-15

Posts 738
land of flora and fauna

4 posted 2002-09-27 08:06 PM

I really need to get out more. Sometimes, no, most of the time, you amaze me.

RSWells
Member Elite

since 2001-06-17

Posts 2533

5 posted 2004-09-08 09:56 PM

1,004 U.S. Troops dead
http://icasualties.org/oif/

Iraq CIVILIANS approx. 12,000 (this site doesn't include the last 3 weeks carnage; http://www.iraqbodycount.net/

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

6 posted 2004-09-08 10:10 PM

hello RS
thanks for the links

and each number had a face, a heart, a dream
a father, a mother, perhaps a brother, a sister, a child, a mate

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