Afghanistan

Karma is a b***h, they say.

We still resist having to learn

That our missteps have negative

Results that will happen in turn.

 

Afghanistan, in 1919,

Drove out the British. A definite win

For the landlocked nation. Sixty years later--

In '79--the Russians moved in.

 

We armed extremists to fight the Russians.

Now, how could that strategy not

Be effective in the long run?

No skin off our teeth, we thought.

 

The Russians left. Our job was over.

Afghanistan was in disarray.

Our lack of support for a country in shambles

Surely helped to pave the way

 

For the Taliban to take control.

Anti-American sentiment grew.

The country became a haven for terrorists.

It's useless for us to wish it weren't true.

 

For the past sixteen years American

Soldiers have fought an ongoing war

Against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

The consequences are hard to ignore.

 

We’re caught up in a vicious circle.

We're stuck in a quagmire--a living hell.

To send more troops to a war we can't win

Is not an easy program to sell.

 

Have all avenues been considered?

Could the region ever be able

To find a peaceful solution by getting

All parties to come to the table?

 

We've gotten ourselves in a situation

Where little goes according to plan.

How many more people will die

From fighting in Afghanistan?

 

(8-24-17) By Bob B

Reviews

[Brent]

Your poem explores our policy in Afghanistan and if there is really a purpose to our prolonged fighting. You point out how hard it is to garner support for a war that has no end in sight. Interesting to think if a different strategy could result in a more stable society in Afghanistan.