Photo: pixabay.com
“All war is a symptom of man’s (sic) failure as a thinking animal.” John Steinbeck
As Poppies Weep
How best can you die and
at what hands might that be,
how excruciating can we make it
of bullets, shells and gas
lost in the thick of bloodied mud
and barbed protections
that betray any sense of humanity
certainly not animal because
animals know better than we,
how is it that we,
the thinking species,
slit the wrists of
every generation
and dare to call it glory,
and for what,
some politician’s ideological orgasm
where there are no gasps of ecstasy
only sobs of grief and despair
as poppies weep for the seed of youth.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
When will we ever learn…so poignant.
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I think on this issue male ego makes us dumber than goldfish.
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…well that is one way to put it!
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🙂
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I like your blog
Please follow back
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Excellent and heartbreaking.
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Sadly so, it irks me that the small minded drive the death machine without any thought to the consequences. Heartbreaking indeed, thank you so much.
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If only these people could be moved by your poem as much as we have been.
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That would be wonderful, to be able to positively effect change, well who knows, a random reading might 🙂 Thank you Liz.
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We can always hope!
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Yes indeed, we can Liz.
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Love the phrase, but some politicians ideological orgasm.
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I think they just want to be famous, none of them have a real sense of life and death or the cost to ordinary families. I blame comics – the modern leader’s eternal search to be the remembered hero. Thank you.
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Since I post songs on Friday, I was going to go for The Band Played Waltzing Matilda or The Green Fields of France, to fit in with the prompt. What I find so very ironic is how anti-war songs and anti-war poems are co-opted by warmongers as a celebration of the gravitas of war and the ‘war effort’ and the spirit of the nation. And don’t get me started on the former PM’s appointment to the AWM! The amount of money spent memorialising every conflict is sickening.
So I didn’t choose one of those songs after all. But that doesn’t mean that I am not glad that you posted your anti-war poem, Paul.
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Ha, I tried hard to make it difficult for one of their ilk to bend it, but they’ll probably mistake orgasm for something literal 🙂 your words resonate strongly – I have struggled with the occasions I have been asked to front up for an ANZAC Day event because I have very strong views about war and the modern industry which is perverting the memory of both world wars.
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You’ll probably be asked to read your poem to honour the war dead!
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Thank you – it would be an honour – I must say that many of the WW1 diggers I knew and asked had replies about ANZAC day and memorial days that would curl your hair.
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I can believe that.
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Ah, a fellow traveller. 🙂
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I’ve been thinking a lot lately of an old book I once read – The Balance Wheel. The premise is that wars are created to serve the greed of ruling men. You echo that sentiment so well.
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Yes, the ruling elite, ugh, simply because they can. Horrible lot! The book sounds interesting, and thank you for reflecting on this.
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Always my pleasure.
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Lessons we refuse to learn! Sometimes it makes me wonder if democracy is doing this job, looking at how ‘ideological orgasmic politicians’ are in the driving seat all over!
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Yes, and their silent partners now, their financial supporters, their think tanks and their staffers, all in for a piece.
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Perhaps if those who perpetuate the death machine were dropped onto a battlefield
to experience their creation firsthand, things would change?
Powerful, Paul!
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Yes, I was struck by that concept when I was in high school – I went to see the movie Napoleon who stood on the battlefield ( a little safer than the front line though) and soon after i saw Richard the 3rd who was in battle. I think it would make a difference. Thank you so much Sandy.
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Most welcome, Paul.
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Love this phrase “some politician’s ideological orgasm”. I weep with the poppies.
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Thank you ruth, yes, politicians and their journey friends care little for life, only self.
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Wow…
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Thank you Dee
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I love this. Very soulful and heart aching.
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Many thanks Kally 🙂
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I love it
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Many thanks
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This is so powerful, Paul. Beautifully penned as always. 🙂
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Thank you so much Winnie 🙂
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Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Much appreciated Douglas
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Humans are too greedy to stop war.
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Sadly I agree GP
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weapons dealers are too greedy … need to be a bit more specific GP … most would gladly give war a miss, especially those who have been there.
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True, but how many politicians ever went, or even served at all? In this world, no matter what the question – the answer is ALWAYS somehow related to M*O*N*E*Y*
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not only did they not serve they also ensure their offspring never serve also … enlisted people are cannon fodder merely to increase the wealth of a few …
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Indeed, money is the game
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Heart-wrenching…
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Yes, the meat grinder of ideology. Thank you Amy.
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Evocative Paul
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Thank you, it sure is nice to know it spoke in some way.
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What a powerful work. So on point! I really, really love it.
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, much appreciated.
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“… and dare to call it glory” … this is so true … oh! the political rhetoric … and the scary part, there are people who are believing the lies and propaganda all in the name of God and country. My mother used to remind us, always pray for peace. I now understand what she meant.
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Yes, I agree with your mother, so many hoodwinked though. Thank you so much Dawn.
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You’re welcome Paul.
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wow wow wow … you nailed it Paul!
I could not agree more and your mastery of English makes this a spectacular statement!
I have a post called W O E which attacks the same subject from another angle.
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Thank you so much Kate, a lovely compliment.
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have reblogged it, knew you wouldn’t mind 🙂
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I never mind, very grateful
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Important, powerful, poignant poem. Thank you so much for writing it and sharing it with us. All of us who understand and agree should weep with the poppies.
(((HUGS)))
Carolyn
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I feel that too, such a pointless and cruel killing process. Thank you so much Carolyn for your thoughtful resposne.
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You’re welcome.
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Awesome message, Paul!!
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I’m so glad it spoke, thank you for those encouraging words.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Much appreciated Charles
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Always happy to share your words, My Friend!! 😁✨
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Brutal and beautiful poetry. Loved this.
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Many thanks Matthew.
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Wow – very powerful and hard hitting – well said
>
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Thank you so much.
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