The Hill

It all came crashing down around us
Someone had to fire the first shot
He wasn’t happy
You killed him, that’s all wrong
The first shot is always a warning, it’s war etiquette
So strange, mother would have loved him, he had manners
God, she would say, you eat like an animal, use your knife and fork
Football mum, need to rush, big game today, come and watch us, it’s life and death
They wanted our piece of the hill
We wanted their piece of the hill
Rush, rush, take the hill, how many bullets can you kill
He wants to talk to them, Mr etiquette
You would be proud of him mum
So Polite
They shot him like a dog
Rush, rush, take the hill, how many bullets can you kill
We killed them all
It’s now our hill
Did you see me, mum, did you see me score
Were you too busy with your other son..

Reviews

[Cherrie Palmer]

One year we had four boys playing baseball and all in different age brackets. I get it but what's a poor mother to do.

[Paul Bell]

So true, love is difficult to share around.

[gram linski]

A great piece of displacement writing, is your family the ones that had your back in a war zone, or the ones that didn't care, excellent read,

[Paul Bell]

Families must be the ultimate warmongers.

[john l smith]

This reminds me of 'East of Eden' with James Dean looking for his fathers' favor
A sorry situation

[Paul Bell]

Now that's a classic film.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This has such an air of sad inevitability, futility and lost moments. Funny how we can be in a family but not be seen. A sad and revealing piece Paul.

[Paul Bell]

Yeah you just couldn't think it could happen.

[Margie F]

How sad that any child would ever feel they were overlooked by a parent for another child. I know it happens, but it shouldn't.

[Paul Bell]

He did pick her nursing home, and lived happily ever after in her house.

[Margie F]

Ouch! I guess there's more than one way to get what's coming to you.

[Neville]

Morals and standards often tend to be flung aside and or forgot on all sides during war.. there is nowt fair in love nor war, despite the old saying all is fair etc etc... just because we stand this side of the fence, does not necessarily mean we are the good guys... methinks..

A great poem by the way...

[Paul Bell]

No morals in war me thinks, just death and misery.

[Neville]

Yeah, tis a man thing and such a bloody shame....

[Relic]

I would have to agree with the others. This is a good example of a dysfunctional family to say the least, but also the makings of a mass killer who thinks what he's doing is right. Scary piece.

[Paul Bell]

Dictators always agree with themselves. Amazing to think they're still plenty of them.

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice family. Reminds me of some of my family members.

[Paul Bell]

Maybe a bit close to home. Sorry about that.

[Onlyme]

Wow, a shocker to say the least this poem, Manipulation, greed, envy and power struggles all rolled into one epic tight poem.

[Paul Bell]

Families are a bad lot, though that could just be mine.

[Onlyme]

I know what you mean Paul, families are an institution like any other that can cause upset, disharmony and mistrust.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

This poem is a shocker Paul. The conversational tone around a dinner table belies the rage and dysfunction of a family dynamic that is a moving force here. Greed, power, manipulation, destruction, a game badly played. Deeply moving and profound, thought-provoking write.

[Paul Bell]

Yeah, I think most wars are started around the kitchen table.

[Mercsa]

Greed and envy is destroying families. Nice write up and a good form of advice.