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Open Poetry #33
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2004-09-09 07:27 PM


Pacifist Despair

what syllogism
will you offer
to the flame?
by what incanted
slogan will you turn
the broken beams
into a building,
shattered bones
into a child?
what phrase
will still the
keening grief
when of all times,
this time the
child is yours?
and later when that
certain fire comes
lusting after flesh
again, when like
a forest blaze
it gathers lust
by feeding, on
that day when
the very flesh
it covets is
your own,
what will you
say then?

--------
3-03

...because after 18 months, somehow it needs to be said again.

© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
JamesMichael
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since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
1 posted 2004-09-09 07:30 PM


Nice writing...James
Elan
Member
since 2002-05-03
Posts 382
State of Wide Eye
2 posted 2004-09-09 07:55 PM


The world will never be
all pacifist
or all warrior...
the best we can do
is encourage others to learn
from history...

albeit history has shown
that such as we, who would teach,
talk into the wind.

I hear you, I heed you...
I know.

Copperbell
Senior Member
since 2003-11-08
Posts 956

3 posted 2004-09-09 08:00 PM


I'm glad you said it. I'm thinking this is so sad, but agony is a much better word.
Ratleader
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4 posted 2004-09-09 08:10 PM


It will be too late for "sorry" then, not that a pacifist would ever admit to having made a mistake, let alone being remorseful over the destruction it caused.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

suthern
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Louisiana
5 posted 2004-09-10 09:45 AM


For very selfish reasons, I'm so glad you reposted this. *S* The words literally pierced my heart the first time I read them... but you remain the only poet whose talent has ever managed to intimidate me into silence for more than one poem... and I didn't respond then. *S*

As you've probably noticed... I found my courage somewhere along the way... you didn't bite *G*... and I haven't hushed since. LOL

But silence still has its place... some poems leave that much awe... this is one.

Heart-wrenching, touching excellence!

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
6 posted 2004-09-10 10:39 AM


This jabs me right in the heart.  I believe there are better ways to fight than with weapons, but unfortunately various factions
have no comprehension.  My fears are realities, the innocent casualities of war and  "peace".  

   Very thought provoking, Ed.  

Susan
Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104
walking the surreal
7 posted 2004-09-10 10:42 AM


Enjoyed this - well stated.  Would that the sleeping giant would be once more less righteous wakefulness be needed.

  Susan

Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you.  Joy is a state of mind.

Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
8 posted 2004-09-10 10:49 AM


To those who believe themselves firmly on the moral high road, the little details like dead people don't matter much. I tried to climb up to that road once, but I can't breathe at that altitude. I love your poem.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
9 posted 2004-09-10 12:57 PM


*drifting out my window into thought after reading*
littlewing
Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655
New York
10 posted 2004-09-10 04:00 PM


*holding my jaw from the jab*

swimming down the page, Ed
like a razor sharp fin . . .


Kazm
Member
since 2003-11-13
Posts 99

11 posted 2004-09-10 04:13 PM


This is so very hard to read. Not because the words are difficult but because the thoughts are too awful to think.

                                                 Kaz

Greeneyes
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In Your Poetic Mind
12 posted 2004-09-10 04:17 PM


very powerful!

I don’t want the world to see me
cause I don’t think that they’d understand
When everything’s made to be broken I just want you to know who I am

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