A lad
(A old poem. Written in 1979. Had same meaning today. Old WWI Poets are my favorite poem. I will never understand why we send our 18-21 years men and woman off to war. If old men want war. Sent them.)
A lad
I was such a lad.
Strong-willed and a mind unable to change his path.
A path leading to a walk through war, seeing death and taking life.
To learn from an experience written so deeply.
I must stop war.
But alas.
One day upon a battlefield, such a lad.
Just like so many good lads.
Died for the profit of war.
Coyote
John Castellenas
Reblogged this on House of Heart.
Reblogging to House of Heart. Thank you for these words of wisdom.
Than you Heartafire for the comment. Funny how we are when we are young. War excite the soul. Old age teaches old Soldiers. Real people died in war who left people behind to mourn and be left alone.
I love the WWI poems too. Wilfred Owen is my favourite.
This is very touching John. War is so futile. I hope for a time when there will be no more wars, but then I’m a dreamer.
Very touching poem. I love the World War 1 poets too, especially Wilfrid Owen. Mental Cases and Disabled are horrifying, powerful poems about soldiers who didn’t die in battle, but didn’t exactly survive, either.
Today if you look at the budget. We are paying billions of dollars for our Vet’s from the old wars. Today we add more men and woman to needing a lifetime of care. I hope the Bush’s wars had a purpose. We have Soldiers in places today and no-one know why? Can’t change a old country and religion. Thank you for the comment.
Lovely¡
Blessed Be¡
Thank you for the comment.
And what about the famous song from the 60′s “War what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!
Edwin Starr song still is played in our new movies. His song stood for anti-war. I agree with your thoughts.
Love songs with messages more than a beat!
“Dulce et decorum est / Pro patria mori”
‘The old lie – it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country’
W Owen.
My favourite war poem.
When I left for war. My dear Grandmother told me. :”Better to be a chicken then a dead hero.” Mark Twain had the same opinion about war. His last poem was held back to after his death. Thank you for the comment.
Very wise Grandmother…and her words have just inspired me to begin lighting a small candle everyday to honor those who have given up their lives AND to celebrate those who have returned home to us, with the hope that one day war will be a thing of the past that we only read about…bless you John, for your inspiring poetry!
And for each one of those who fought. Died. Lived. I say “thank you brave person for my very freedom.”
I agree. The poem “The tree”. Still one of the great war poems. We lost a lot of good people to war yesterday and today. Thank you for the comment.