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

wartanka

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Jay Loveless

November 18, 2013 at 8:33 PM

Profound lesson in these few words.

Lucilla Carrillo

September 21, 2013 at 10:46 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

September 17, 2013 at 8:53 PM

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

James Peranteau

September 17, 2013 at 7:22 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

September 17, 2013 at 5:54 PM

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

Richard Lamoureux

September 17, 2013 at 6:59 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

September 17, 2013 at 3:59 AM

Superb, Harry... I love it! Terry

Cindy Lu

September 16, 2013 at 6:49 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

September 16, 2013 at 6:32 PM

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

Shadow Hamilton

September 16, 2013 at 2:37 PM

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

David Williams

September 16, 2013 at 2:26 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

September 16, 2013 at 12:12 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

September 16, 2013 at 8:44 AM

Nice confession but on the positive side, harry

Harry Horsman

September 16, 2013 at 8:45 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

September 16, 2013 at 8:11 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

September 16, 2013 at 8:47 AM