David Wallace | + Follow Poet |
Dramatic Monologue | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Distractions and Advantages

Watch then the battlefield, from the comfort of your chair
And push the button carelessly, when you can’t stomach any more.
Tell us of the sights you’ve seen, from your bought and paid for seat,
Boast of bombs and body counts, dismembered heads and feet.
Your evenings entertainment, remote device controlled
Eliminates the battle scene, and obliterates your soul.
So when you lie abed at night, in front of TV screen,
dream not of they, who dying well, enthralled you with their screams.
The cratered lands, the red stained hands, the blood so freely shed,
Will keep until tomorrow and won’t discomfort you in bed.
Though on a screen, it doesn’t mean, what’s happening’s not real
The war that you turned off last night, was not magically curtailed.
And when this one is over, they will estimate the cost,
Calculating  Pounds and Dollars, not the Heroes they have lost.
The price of oil, or exports gone, inflation soaring free,
While bankers gloat behind glass walls and rub their hands in glee
The advertising revenue, the syndicated spam,
A Mercenary action, using war to sell their scam.
Disregard  the special's ads, the advertisers’ wares,
Ignore the 'Lifetime Offers,' that increase purveyors’ shares.
Think of they, who fight this day, and die where ere they fall,
Their price unasked  or charged for, simply a name upon a wall.

      ****        Intermission for our Sponsors      ****

So over morning coffee, as you watch the broadcast news,
Heed not heroic platitudes that politicians use.
Despite the lies, despite the talk, of who or what was right,
The lifeblood of these men at arms, defends a nations might.
Remember too these words of truth, penned at Binyon’s hand
Recalled with pride, in tear filled eye, by those who took the stand
‘Age shall no longer weary them, nor passing years condemn,
And at each setting of the sun, we will remember them.’
So low a price for all to pay, one minute’s silent thought,
Let  sorrow bow our grateful heads, and acknowledge what they bought.
When Nation needs, or Country calls, but few respond to call,
yet by these Brave and Selfless Men do Nations stand or Fall.
The bill that’s paid by life and limb, an ever unpaid debt,
A priceless tariff scribed in blood, the Powers that be Forget.
Turn off the box and take a while, to thank your God or gods,
for Duty driven fighting men, who stand despite all odds.

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