The Two Faces Of War.

The Two Faces Of War.

A Poem by Paul Bell

The rain washed the blood away
And for a time I became human again
Children with dead eyes
Play amongst corpses rotting in the morning sun
A father prays to some god
Hoping for a miracle
Abound by his faith
Certainly a deeper faith than mine
For the moment only the gun is god
In these quiet times
I think of people sitting at desks
Being productive
Dreaming dreams better than mine
Building a future
The survivor alarm kicks in
I've been here too long
The scene changes
The father has found his god
For a time he becomes a soldier
Two gods about to collide
One through total frustration
The other with the dimension of time
He once read a book
The romance of war
He always thought the title should have read
The two faces of war
The bullet killed him instantly
Tomorrow he would be another rotting corpse
No romance there
People at desks building futures
Children with dead eyes play in the morning sun.

© 2016 Paul Bell


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Featured Review

and many at those desks send the young ones to war...and they are killed instantly...a long productive life taken from them in an instant...

no desks, no future...just targets for those dead eyes of the children.

this is quite a thoughtful read.

j.

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Paul Bell

7 Years Ago

Sadly, war is easy for politicians.



Reviews

Thought provoking poem. War is terrible and for the most part is forced upon those who don't want it. But know one is innocent in this world. We've been killing each other since Cain and Abel and there wouldn't be wars without those willing to fight in them. I guess I'm guilty for being in the service at one time. You showed great use of language on this work. Glad to have read it. CD

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

True, war is one total waste of time.
This poem describes perfectly the eternal scenario of war. If these children with dead eyes survive what sort of future awaits them?

Posted 5 Years Ago


Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

They usually become the new martyrs.
Mrudula Rani

5 Years Ago

Even if they become radicals ... I suppose we have no right to criticize them,
Paul Bell

5 Years Ago

Definitely not.
Wow. I know it's an undeniable fact that part of the human nature is to save their own when placed in a sinking boat.Sir, you have thoughtfully placed it here in your poem in a manner that is easy to read and easy to be appreciated. Thank you for this, sir.

Posted 6 Years Ago


I agree my friend. I saw the ending of war. Dead cities and homeless people. No-one win in war. Today 20 million veterans sick from the new and old wars in the USA. Children and families pay for the hate of men who seek war over peace. Thank you Paul for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

Posted 6 Years Ago


Paul Bell

6 Years Ago

The catalogue just goes on and on. Actually i would say it's getting worse.
Coyote Poetry

6 Years Ago

I agree my friend. New world ready to kill the young men and women for land and profit.
"The Two Faces Of War"
Paul Bell,
You wrote a poem which tries to speak for those involved in the process and work of war. Such a difficult thing for me to wrap my mind around. But then, Iv'e not fought in one.
This whole earth's inhabitant's have been affected and broken by every war and every painful skirmish. Loss. I am being vague I know.
Believing in God and trusting in Him is painful when the gun of war has clouded one's ability to process within a war's effects.
I found this part striking: "He once read a book
The romance of war
He always thought the title should have read
The two faces of war
The bullet killed him instantly."
War kills hearts and hope as well.
" Like "Children with dead eyes play in the morning sun."
This was a very deep one for me. thanks much.
Kathy


Posted 6 Years Ago


Paul Bell

6 Years Ago

I think it's all about your own faith, Kathy. War is probably the greatest waste of time ever. It al.. read more
Kathy Van Kurin

6 Years Ago

Thanks Paul. Well it is a huge waste period. Guess I was just trying to make sense of it, trying to .. read more
"For the moment only the gun is God."- the truth of war in one sentence. Raw imagery, powerful words. Momentary transcendental non-reality, moments of escape and humanity, and then the blood and rotting corpses return. The "Children with dead eyes" return. Brilliant. Important.

Posted 6 Years Ago


Paul Bell

6 Years Ago

So strange life, isn't it Annette. Somewhere not to far, war is raging.
Annette Pisano-Higley

6 Years Ago

Yes it is. No answers to why. We never stop asking though...
Deep read that much to often in this world is true. Valentine

Posted 7 Years Ago


and many at those desks send the young ones to war...and they are killed instantly...a long productive life taken from them in an instant...

no desks, no future...just targets for those dead eyes of the children.

this is quite a thoughtful read.

j.

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Paul Bell

7 Years Ago

Sadly, war is easy for politicians.
I think, as a species, we have become inured to war; the horrific reality become little more than instant, 'yes folks, see it as it is actually happening,' prime time soundbites and flicker frame images on our TV screens.

It's an awful, perhaps rather cynical thought; but whenever I see the so-called leaders of this fractured world postulating and preening and paying little more than lip service to all the innocents caught up in conflict, I am put in mind of the Latin phrase, 'panem et circenses.'

This is a poem that hits home and hits hard.

Beccy.



Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Paul Bell

7 Years Ago

Thanks Beccy. Maybe we should send Politicians to war instead of the Soldiers.

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Added on August 6, 2016
Last Updated on August 6, 2016

Author

Paul Bell
Paul Bell

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I like poetry and stories that tell me something. Sometimes the shortest poems hit the hardest. If I post something serious, don't worry, a funny poem will follow. Don't hesitate to tell me if my po.. more..

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