Sightless.

A picture which shows more than words gives a poet its own inspiration.

 

 

Sightless.

 

Whispers from wine-coloured moonlight have now
blighted old river grass.
No-one will pass by this flood's blistering chorus of
frustrated past outcry.
The waters stay silted with years-long, war-seared
bitterness as each ill-timed
Peace talk crumbled to finish, killed by conclusions
of coated top-brass.

 

Dreams of the tortoise-shelled butterfly days faded
long before turbulent rapids
Drew young men and women toward battles over
naught but misapplied fears.
Lifetimes float hormonally by in riverside history
as pride's facade of need for action.
Forces of folk, press-mustered, taught naught but 
allegiance to mindless leads.

 

Listening I hear victims' pathetic exits still weeping
regrets for conceding to hate.
Wisps of blood-to-come days surface from tainted
mould as no war sits easily.
What happens when, hit by flows of violence peace
can no longer struggle for gain ?
Reddened under-tow of sacrifice rises from those
 caught in sightless obedience.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

violence, violence, violence....yes, sightless obedience...
Peace dies and what comes to life like a mummy is the emerging monster of hate...
so little love, so much war....countries at war, relationships at war.
when will it end?
strong write, Fay.
j.

[Fay Slimm]

Thanks jacob for your emotive review - no words can really express the desperately hopeless feelings of those left in mud than sucked life and limb - - and war whereever its found does the same to those of sightless obedience.

[Neville]

This reminds me so much of Sassoon .. Certain aspects of the Great war personified and indeed one of my very own past lives... and current predicament...

[Chris Shaw]

If ever there was a case for being sucked into a useless cause, it was back then, when they truly didn't know what the hell they were letting themselves in for. They certainly didn't have media coverage to highlight what was going on and they obeyed and were proud to do so. Followed instructions to the letter. Given by top brass who didn't care about numbers, just the outcome. Sickens me when I think of the carnage and I see your posted image of a soldier's suffering and I want to scream. No hole dug, would have been large enough to wipe that trauma away. I see a shell shocked youngster who probably would have been shot for cowardice. Your words Fay evoke feelings in me of such anger. Your words certainly hit home here Fay. We must never forget.

Chris

[Fay Slimm]

Your powerful review shows the depth my few words reached in your feelings dear Chris - the same scream of anger comes from my heart too when viewing the picture........ we must I agree never forget. Thank you for you visit and review my friend.................. Fay

[Fay Slimm]

The desperate conditions as depicted in the chosen picture show what war does to human nature when "peace can no longer struggle for gain" - - - the words of this verse seemed to write themselves.