Sonnet to war

Put a beggar to fight a rich man's war

Cannon fodder made of the wretched poor

Boys bodies become a ladder to wealth 

Lies spread, saying it's for the nation's health

Saying it's for freedom, others to save

Debt ransomed by an ignorant man's grave

The blood of the young and weak turned to gold

Riches are made on a poor man's life sold

Let congress, president and senators be

Like in past, front line of the infantry 

To face the raging bullets, fire and flame

Feel shattered grief, pain and suffer the maim

Then just maybe, fewer wars would be fought

And a greater effort for peace be sought

Reviews

[LH Weiss]

I completely stand by each of these statements. You put them into such elegant rhymes too. I could tell that it was from the heart. Poetry like this is just what the world needs. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Powerful and confirms the futility of warfare. It has always been that way. I paused and reflected on the losses in particular in WW1 and WW2. Young men often from poor backgrounds fighting a rich man’s battle. There’s money in warfare, big money. Especially these days with high tec. Yes, a change in who is in the firing line first, could put a different perspective on the situation altogether. Maybe the generals could lead from the front? A thought provoking little poem Soren.

Chris

[Soren]

Thank you Chris for your read and understanding. It means a great deal

[RomaJ]

Soren, this sonnet is powerful and unflinching. The metaphor of war as a system that sacrifices the poor for the profit of the rich hits hard -- lines like "Boys bodies become a ladder to wealth" linger in the mind.

I also love how the final stanza challenges those in power -- if they faced the battlefield themselves, maybe peace would be more valued. The rhythm and rhyme carry the weight of the message perfectly -- relentless, like the march to war itself.

[Soren]

Thank you so much Roma for the read and the comment it is most important to me. There is far too little support in this area.

[RomaJ]

You’re very welcome, Soren. Your words carry such truth and conviction.