Sunday, February 3, 2008

Poem: Opposite Effect

Opposite Effect

War to stop the “imminent” weapon threat
The mass destruction came on the eagle’s wing

A line in the sand; fight them there or here
Welcome mats laid out in invitation for the wolves

Last resorts promised democracy’s spread
Chaos, anarchy and tenuous, half-governments teeter on the brink

A surge, desperately in its last, false hope
Deceived into believing it would not be fleeting

Contributors to the descent into madness
We cannot cure or fix, but only perish in the staying

How many more must die for a mistake?

Copyright SGW 2008

Footnote: Around the middle of February of 2008, I have gotten a large number of search hits that have led to this poem, all coming from the area of Toronto, Ontario in Canada. I am sure this is some sort of student assignment gone in a surprise direction. Bet you folks up north didn't expect an anti-war poem regarding the U.S. involvement in Iraq, did you? Anyway, welcome and please drop in again!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah, but the media portrays everything in the way to get the most viewers.

The truth is so unclear in everything and everyone swears they know everything about everything, when everyone actually knows nothing.

Good write!

Kat Mortensen said...

It's all deteriorated so far as to be a farce. So many areas of our world in chaos and despair, where do we begin to place our concern and sympathy? How can we salvage anything when there's just so many places where we need to make up for what we have done?
Kat

STP said...

Yes, and sadly my country has done 8 years of damage exacerbation. We have had an administration that has done everything possible to diminish the Constitution, rule of law and integrity of leadership.

SandyCarlson said...

Hey, Scott!

Good one. So true. I just finished The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff, and he puts all of this into perspective on a philosophical level. but how do we get these guys to listen to Piglet?

STP said...

If only I knew!

Beaman said...

Good poem. I disagree however with the political angle you've taken.

STP said...

You have that right. Unlike my president, I do not disavow that right. I believe the facts bare me out and will do so further over time. However, your view is your own.

Leanderthal, Lighthouse Keeper said...

A wonderful, sad but true, poetic essay.

I am an Obama supporter mainly because he seems the more authentic of the two left in the Dem race.

My cynicism tells me though that no matter who wins the White House and a bullet proof Congress, GOPhers or Dems, it's not likely that we will notice much of a difference in terms of Iraq. It's the oil folks.

I've written about that in leesvoicecryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com and last year in capecodlighthouse.blogspot.com

Leanderthal, Lighthouse Keeper

STP said...

I have a great deal of cynicism, too, at times with regards to the country's future path. Will we clean up many of our domestic messes with Obama or Clinton? Will terrorism slide away? Will we save the planet? Will corruption end? The easy answer, and one I cannot deny is no on all accounts.

That said, Obama, and even Clinton, will change things. Oil is a driving factor, and I agree with you on that, but it will not be all consuming in our future path with Iraq because it cannot be. No, I do not think we will pull out suddenly. However, I do think troop numbers will decrease, pressure will FINALLY be put on the Iraqis to come terms with themselves or deal with it without us, and eventually we will pull back to a shell force there. I see that happening in a first term. Violence there might increase as they fight it out in a civil war, but that is really happening anyway.

I look at the change to the Democrats, both in the White House and in growing numbers in Congress, and I see incremental change for the better, which is blessed given these last eight years. More people will have health care, taxes will balance back a bit in favor of the lower and middle classes, protecting the homeland will mean money where it belongs, elimination of torture and better relations with the world. We will talk to our enemies for a change. The Supreme Courts likely two or three openings will not be filled with radical, narrow-minded zealots. More will be done to protect the planet and wildlife. Perhaps we will gear our energies to alternative fuels, better mpg's, and reduced waste.

Things will not become nirvana. They will be better and headed in the right direction. I believe that with all my heart and soul.