…
I want to kill you war, forever,
not like a phoenix, that always comes back
I want to kill you war
and I don’t know how
and I don’t know why
all the people of the world
don’t join hands
to kill you war —
you the greatest killer
of them all
The governors of the world
Go on feeding your fat belly
With fresh soldiers
And nuclear arms,
With blurring eyes
They only know how to hang
The murderers of the one or the two
But not you,
You the greatest murderer of them all.
After the carnage the priest said
“we are all responsible.”
After the carnage the sheikh said
“we all remain brothers.”
After the carnage the rabbi said
“we can stop it if we choose.”
The priest and the sheikh and the rabbi
Raise up their hands and look up to the sky
The peace marchers
Take hold of the slab of marble
On which is inscribed “we want to live not die”
And carry it away under the whizzing bullets
Like a corpse, still warm, still alive.
Author Unknown
What a beautiful poem, and so relevant. If only there could be a day when war would be abolished forever and peace would reign supreme.
So powerful, Bridget
I have actually heard people say war is good for an economy…. these are the same people who never have a gun in their hands and sit safe in their office or bunker. Just senseless death of mostly young people! Very moving poem!
I blame organized religion for much of war. Their it’s our way or nothing philosophy. Their wish to push their beliefs, and of course the pursuit of riches and power.
Waste of Blood, and waste of Tears,
Waste of youth’s most precious years,
Waste of ways the saints have trod,
Waste of Glory, waste of God,
War!
G A Studdert-Kennedy
I love it. Thanks, Peter.
Geoffrey Anketell Studdert Kennedy MC was an English Anglican priest and poet. He was nicknamed “Woodbine Willie” during World War I for giving Woodbine cigarettes to the soldiers he met, as well as spiritual aid to injured and dying soldiers.
The utter total senselessness that is war. Like they say War is Big Business, and in Israel’s case, as long as the war goes on, Bibi is still PM. I think the leaders who want to go to war need to be the ones to fight it out between themselves. Have a good Friday Bridget. Allan