Home » Poems » Harry Horsman » Conflict

Harry Horsman | + Follow Poet |

Notes About The Poem

Conflict

I did not know hate
till I was told to kill him,
it is so normal
I universal soldier
guilty as the enemy.

© Harry J Horsman 2013

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Jay Loveless

Date: 11/18/2013 8:33:00 PM

Profound lesson in these few words.

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 9/21/2013 10:46:00 AM

This is a very good poem, about conflict. One of my brothers was in Special Forces for 20 years, He never talks about what he had to do. Thanks for sharing.... Lucilla

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 9/17/2013 8:53:00 PM

Oooooh, your last line has so much power and brings such a poignant sensitivity to this beautifully written Tanka Harry. Bravo!

James Peranteau

Date: 9/17/2013 7:22:00 PM

Dear poet; oh how could this soul extract an answer for taking life. I just can't; yet there are soldiers who, I believe were born to be filled with the drive to retrieve belief of justification for such actions....my 33 year old son has this strong belief, I shun him not dear poet, yet grieve such actions....hate me not dear sir ! Much love, james

Sandra Adams

Date: 9/17/2013 5:54:00 PM

wow...powerful image here...great poem :)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 9/17/2013 6:59:00 AM

When you look at all the predudices especially in the 50 and 60s I believe it was as a result of the second world war. In order to kill people they were demonized and dehumanized so we could emotionly justify our actions. This is a good poem Harry.

Terry O'Leary

Date: 9/17/2013 3:59:00 AM

Superb, Harry... I love it! Terry

Cindy Lu

Date: 9/16/2013 6:49:00 PM

Very profound your etching in short form here. Its brevity and simple language works well. Cindy (not sure if you mean the word "I" , or whether its a typo for "A"... I do that sometimes and didn't know if you meant it to be that way or not..)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/16/2013 6:32:00 PM

Hello, Harry, it's great seeing you around this week!

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 9/16/2013 2:37:00 PM

Harry you portray well war and its evils very good write Shadow x smile

David Williams

Date: 9/16/2013 2:26:00 PM

Hi Harry my friend nice to be reading your work again, this is a very poignant poem at the moment with all of the troubles in Syria and the rest. I like the strong message....David

Bl Devnath

Date: 9/16/2013 12:12:00 PM

It's the best answer of conflict, I think. A deep philosophical view is hidden here nicely. Lovely done, my sweet friend. Loved always, bl

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 9/16/2013 8:44:00 AM

Nice confession but on the positive side, harry

Harry Horsman
Date: 9/16/2013 8:45:00 AM

I see where you are coming from Andrea, and yes we need to fight the good fight, but today our young men are sent into battle, to maintain one's power and wealth, and the subtlety of how they the powers to be get their message across i do have a problem with....

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/16/2013 8:11:00 AM

when it's done as "duty" you are guiltless, even, I believe, in the eyes of the Lord, since you are killing for country. but if one takes pleasure in it, there lies the guilt!!!

Harry Horsman
Date: 9/16/2013 8:47:00 AM