Dogs of War

the dogs were happy
did not have to dig deep
in bomb craters and
makeshift graves 
they licked at pulverized bones
and liquefied brains
slurped up the proceeds of war
and roamed the street
sluggish and flatulent

saliva dribbled as well
from the industrial military complex
fused joy with sore fingers
from counting the money

Dmitri wondered
what had become of his folks 
and where the flowers had gone
before he pegged his rag doll
to a skull bone that floated
in a sewer of lost hope

his young soul was confused
with reality and fake news
and yet his scarred mind
was never far from revenge

as he waded through carnage and destruction
he found remains of his pet
and smeared a bloody reminder
on his feverish forehead
picked up a land mine
and bode farewell to one of his arms
because the weapon exploded
never one to cease with belligerent ease
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Radice Avatar
July 27, 2022 at 10:26 PM
Raw, bloody and real. Excellent Kai. I particularly like the nod to the anti war song "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?" Cheers - Gary
Peck Avatar
March 25, 2022 at 10:23 AM
Kai, What a gripping poem you have penned. Yes! Let's not hide the ugly with polished medals, promises of peace. War is hideous--examine it bone by bone. Thank you for writing it.
Kavanagh  Avatar
March 24, 2022 at 12:26 PM
You bring a damning abstract picture of war to life Kai, where surreality is actually the everyday reality, wonderfully constructed poem, and I hope everyone that reads understands exactly the brutal truth you have portrayed here, cheers David
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