deepundergroundpoetry.com
Remembrance
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
The 11 million soldiers killed in WW1
The 21 million soldiers killed in WW2
The thousands killed since WW2
We remember their bravery
We remember their sacrifice
They gave their lives in conflicts
And wars following their orders
They fought for us and ours
Right or wrong it makes no matter
They did what many wouldn’t
They did what many couldn’t
We must respect their obedience
We must honour their sacrifice
We must remember them
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
The 8 million civilians killed in WW1
The 70 million civilians killed in WW2
The millions of millions killed since WW2
In conflicts and wars not of their making
They were truly the victims of war
Non combatants killed without choice
Killed without a second thought
Killed as casualties of war
Right or wrong makes no matter
Those killed by bullet and gun
Those killed by missile and bomb
Those killed by H-Bomb
Those killed by gas chamber
Those executed by firing squad
Brave or not we must
Remember them as well
Their sacrifice is not diminished
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
That it is not a time for politicians
Nor for posturing party politics
It is not a time for celebrating
Of glorifying so called victories
Remembering that nobody wins
Remembering that whether death
By deliberate genocide or military
Action debases all of humanity
Right or wrong makes no matter
It is politicians that cause wars
It is politicians that declare wars
It is politicians that prolong wars
We should not celebrate political
Leaders as wars are a result
Of their direct failure and fallibility
We must also remember those
Brave souls shot for cowardice
We must also remember those
Brave souls standing up as pacifists
We must remember all who sacrificed
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
The frailty of life in war
The ease of death in conflict
Man’s inability to learn from
Past conflicts and mistakes
Not realising that conflict
Can rarely be righteous
Right or wrong makes no matter
Humanity is broken and seems
Like we have an inability to fix it
And Remembrance Day will be held
For as long as mankind exists
We should remember and consider
Consider those about to die
Consider future war and conflict
Consider yet more sacrifice
It is to our eternal shame
We will always have to remember
We bow our heads and remember
The 11 million soldiers killed in WW1
The 21 million soldiers killed in WW2
The thousands killed since WW2
We remember their bravery
We remember their sacrifice
They gave their lives in conflicts
And wars following their orders
They fought for us and ours
Right or wrong it makes no matter
They did what many wouldn’t
They did what many couldn’t
We must respect their obedience
We must honour their sacrifice
We must remember them
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
The 8 million civilians killed in WW1
The 70 million civilians killed in WW2
The millions of millions killed since WW2
In conflicts and wars not of their making
They were truly the victims of war
Non combatants killed without choice
Killed without a second thought
Killed as casualties of war
Right or wrong makes no matter
Those killed by bullet and gun
Those killed by missile and bomb
Those killed by H-Bomb
Those killed by gas chamber
Those executed by firing squad
Brave or not we must
Remember them as well
Their sacrifice is not diminished
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
That it is not a time for politicians
Nor for posturing party politics
It is not a time for celebrating
Of glorifying so called victories
Remembering that nobody wins
Remembering that whether death
By deliberate genocide or military
Action debases all of humanity
Right or wrong makes no matter
It is politicians that cause wars
It is politicians that declare wars
It is politicians that prolong wars
We should not celebrate political
Leaders as wars are a result
Of their direct failure and fallibility
We must also remember those
Brave souls shot for cowardice
We must also remember those
Brave souls standing up as pacifists
We must remember all who sacrificed
At this time of remembrance
We bow our heads and remember
The frailty of life in war
The ease of death in conflict
Man’s inability to learn from
Past conflicts and mistakes
Not realising that conflict
Can rarely be righteous
Right or wrong makes no matter
Humanity is broken and seems
Like we have an inability to fix it
And Remembrance Day will be held
For as long as mankind exists
We should remember and consider
Consider those about to die
Consider future war and conflict
Consider yet more sacrifice
It is to our eternal shame
We will always have to remember
Published 7th Nov 2015
| Edited 8th Nov 2015
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likes 6
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comments 10
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The author encourages honest critique.
7th Nov 2015 2:15pm
A very fitting tribute to everyone who sacrificed their lives because of the follies of mankind. Your piece spoke the truth of the grim reminder why we need to honor and remember our veterans and those innocent bystanders. As long as greed is in the hearts of those warmongers, politicians, etc., conflicts will never end. We need to start war somewhere in order to sustain our so called (economy)? Peace be with you, brother!
8th Nov 2015 1:10am
Peace also be with you :-)
I support our troops 100% - I fail to support our politicians on many occasions> Unlike them I have learned from their mistakes. We need a tidal wave of humanity to hit our people in order that change will happen and we can put an 'end to all wars' - well you gotta have a dream :-)
Thank you so much for reading, commenting and understanding :-)
I support our troops 100% - I fail to support our politicians on many occasions> Unlike them I have learned from their mistakes. We need a tidal wave of humanity to hit our people in order that change will happen and we can put an 'end to all wars' - well you gotta have a dream :-)
Thank you so much for reading, commenting and understanding :-)
7th Nov 2015 4:05pm
this is such a wonderful poem, left me with a true lasting impression. The progression from stanza to stanza is really well done
8th Nov 2015 1:11am
thank you so much - this poem was a wee bit more important to me than many others I've written - really glad it struck a chord :-)
7th Nov 2015 10:59pm
8th Nov 2015 1:13am
thank you my friend as always your comments so well received, I think you are more helpful than you know :-)
8th Nov 2015 00:49am
I agree with what you're saying,
although I am a little ambivalent
regarding the whole poppy thing,
since it sometimes appears
to sentimentalise suffering...
although I am a little ambivalent
regarding the whole poppy thing,
since it sometimes appears
to sentimentalise suffering...
8th Nov 2015 1:15am
I know what you mean and the TV show tonight felt like a celebration - if there ever was a bad time or thing to celebrate this is it :-)
thank you for reading and your positive comments :-)
thank you for reading and your positive comments :-)
8th Nov 2015 3:29am
it's a time for this kind of poetry,
but then, every day of the year is.
well & nobly done...
but then, every day of the year is.
well & nobly done...
8th Nov 2015 3:43pm
This is praise indeed from a writer I hold in the highest regard :-)
thank you for reading, commenting and understanding :-)
thank you for reading, commenting and understanding :-)
