never a winner in war

never a winner in war

 

 

love's disingenuous glory

from a battlefield of flight

ambushed, running for cover

as Cupid arrows find their mark

 

and soldiers supersede

then cede

then fall

littering the landscape

 

with rotting corpses

of young hearts

exposed to the sun

 

of truth.

 

 

 

erin-cilberto

9/22/19

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

We were young and in love ... not realizing love is a battlefield ... we turn our backs on the experienced old trooper who has been there before, and is only trying to help us dodge the bullets. But in the end we are just one more corpse on the stack of lovers littering the landscape.

Good write my friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your colorful, insightful review, Ted...
j.

[barleygirl]

Your poem is a vivid depiction of why I walk away from confrontation. I've never seen that fighting brings about improvements or lessons learned. Once it gets into the realm of fighting, people are on opposing sides (period!) & I've never seen it drift back to being truly peaceful again. In love & in the wider world, fighting never brings peace! Sorry I'm in a ranting mood lately! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you are so right...it never brings peace.
thank you for your words, Margie.
j.

[VelvetPotato]

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeeded.

I'm not a veteran, but I've been told that many wars vets don't feel victorious or heroic after winning, only disillusioned.

Thoughtful write.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"to comprehend the nectar
requires sorest need" on of my favorite emily dickinson poems...had to memorize it my junior year in high school..
thank you, Velvet...
j.

[Fairy Khan]

It has always been a pleasure to read your poems. You do such a wonderful job. Keep writing.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Fairy. I have no choice but to write...no control over my muse...she dictates.
j.

[Fairy Khan]

Then I hope she keeps dictating. ;)

[Lydia Shutter]

Some people never give up on romance....and I wonder how wise that really is. Others make it their business to continue to inject drama into every relationship. It seems they thrive on it. When the truth about the players is uncovered, though, no one wins. Lots of disillusionment here. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, Lydi.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

The cynicism in this is sharp as rust, a blunt cudgel to beat the spirit of erstwhile romantics who still riding the wave of hope and optimism are almost certain to learn that romance is but a trailer for the full movie.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

these days, i just watch the trailers...the movies get too complicated...you are so insightful my friend.
thank you.
j.

[Rhayne]

Some people love war, some are seduced into it and some go in with a purpose. No matter their age, they're all young. War is all about love, rather it be the actual battlefield of war or the battlefield of relationships. Either way, you go in with the intention of protecting someone and/or something you love. Then comes reality; the hardships of surviving, the second thoughts, the plan. There is deceit in war and in love because there are two sides in both. Someone, on one of those sides, will put up a brief fight and then give in. In war, it's usually the younger, less experienced ones that lose and die. In a relationship, it's usually the one with the weaker heart, the one who just can't believe that the other is doing this to them. They may just give up and move on or decide they can't and join the dead. Either way, there's a battleground of lost hearts to show for it.

This is very sad, j, but very well said. It took me to both places.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i am glad it could find a way to reach you, Rhayne.
thank you for sharing your thoughts on the poem.
j.

[Lorry]

You gotta live it to know it and to feel it, but only when you get to this knowledge of understanding, can you realise that love and all its ilk is a virus, way too easily cured by indifferencence. Well, cured for one of the afflicted anyway.
It's also a sad reflection to know we need reminded there are no winners, because each one is as personal to us as it is to others. Just because it's not in our head doesn't mean someone isn't suffering.
Ps... If you read this comment in a squeaky voice it loses some of its cynicism. 😀
Your last verse kills Jacob. Nothing like that jab to the heart to make you realise the world just got a little too real.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i tried it with the squeaky voice, Lorry...but it still sounded pretty cynical...ha ha..
appreciate your insightful share.
j.

[Karmee]

no one ever wins at war, This is very good, enjoyed this

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, silent...yes, no one....whether the wars are on a battlefield or in a relationship.
j.

[Laura Kate]

Oh my goodness, this gave me shivers. Such a clever allegory! How many people have run into battle for the love of their country, only to end up as you say, killed by cupids arrow of the enemy fighting in love for theirs.

'with rotting corpses
of young hearts
exposed to the sun'

So sad, such innocence. Beautiful poem Jacob.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Laura,
j.