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Had I Been a Peaceful Fighter

Had I been a peaceful fighter 1
I’d carry my gun
And daily sit in the sun
Only near the sea
For everyone to see

Had I been a nonviolent fighter 6
I’d certainly need a gun
I would have lots of fun
And wouldn’t shoot anyone
Because I love everyone

A passive warrior had I been 11
A gun, I would need
For no living creature I would kill
But help communities build a mill
To make my people keen

Had I been a diplomatic fighter 16 
I would need a gun
That no person would fear 
For that is a pacific gun
That is not disgraceful

The harmless gun I would carry 21
Would make me a people’s soldier
That would close the hole
At my gun’s nose
To bring peace to the world.

Poem by Mugisho Theophile

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Kyle Kriticos

Date: 9/12/2017 3:55:00 PM

This is rivetting...I have drawn some deep meaning from all of these verses, well done!

Mugisho Theophile
Date: 9/13/2017 12:57:00 AM

Thank you Kyle for the comment. It is a long story if you can dig deep in the context of this poem. It was built around how women and children are suffering massively the unending wars the DR Congo, my country has been enduring since 2006 up to today. War is war; it kills, it damages hearts and bodies, and the environment. Guns should shut once for all.

Jeremy Proehl

Date: 6/10/2017 7:01:00 AM

Hi Musgisho, What a lovely poem. So sad that the world gives us these subjects to write about. Hopefully the world will change because of poets like you who bring attention to these social issues. I met a poet from Columbia who said the people look to the poets for truth. Please share more, please share your truths. Hopefully hearts will change and love will replace guns. Looking forward to reading more of your work. JP

Mugisho Theophile
Date: 6/10/2017 8:50:00 AM

JP Armstrong, hello! Thank you for this comment and your words are motivating. I do believe such social issues will end one time when human beings will understand they need not to harm the world. I will share as many as I can so that the world can be aware. Did you have time to read through my other poems? MNT

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/24/2017 6:09:00 PM

ARe the numbers to show progression of feeling toward guns as one ages ? A very interesting poem, Mugisho. 21 is the typical age of a soldier . I find it sad when a man has to fight a war he wants not part in.

Mugisho Theophile
Date: 4/25/2017 1:34:00 AM

Hello Andrea! Thank you for your comment on my poem. The numbers are just the number of the verse, counting from the first one. I am happy you appreciate the poem. Men are often obliged to fight wars they do not like, as it is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC, where there are a lot of kidnapped children who are forced to join militia. The children are forced to abandon school and go to fight a war whose aim they do not know. Thanks!