Terrell Martin Poet Free verse

Closer To the Killing Fields

Quite often I catch myself 
Watching old movies
About America’s great wars
And find myself humbled and awed by the sacrifices
Of so many countless souls. 

Since our War for Independence  
America’s been engaged
In one momentous battle after another
Which some have argued and always will, 
That some of these have been for ill-gotten gains
And needless blood was spilled. 

Never the less, I readily confess
I’m envious of our heroes
Who fought and died 
While others have survived
With deep seated wounds and scars
That may never heal.  
One can only imagine how 
They must think and feel.

And although I also did my duty 
For many years in uniform;
Never once did battle find me, 
My mind or body torn. 

For which I’m thankful beyond measure
And yet wishful I might have been
Closer to the killing fields
Like so many other good men.

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Richard Lamoureux March 14, 2013 at 2:01 PM I myself have never been much for war all sides feeling they are fighting for what is right. I still appreciate the sacrifices that have been made by the men and women from all countries regarless of who are seen as the eventual winners. I have seen the enemy and he is me. None of us is blameless.

Ilene Bauer March 9, 2013 at 1:51 PM an interesting poem which gives me a lot to think about. i can see how you'd feel that way, but to me (never having been in uniform, not counting the girl scouts!), it would just be a tremendous relief to have survived intact. i like the poem very much, though.