Lon Wartman Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

I am deply troubled by the lack of honor and the will to do good in our current political environment. The lack of respect for our well estabalished instutions of justice and democracy.  

Honor

“Honor”

I don’t get it
	I just don’t get it.

Why, men are this way.
Why they order death,
And curse their own.

Why they seek vengeance 
For those opposed.
Pardon those who’ve wronged our soul?

What makes a man this way?
What is this need?
For what is the reason? 

I understand
How anger corrupts the soul,
Turns it into coal.        			 

I understand 
How need turns into greed,
Yet, never satisfies.

I understand 
How vengeance reaps,
And bloodies our sheets.   		

I understand
The call to forgive
Yet, these are not forgivable deeds.

Who are these men? 
Who kill boys 
In boats awash at sea. 

Who are these men
Who rob the poor,
And shut their doors? 			 

Who are these men
Who stormed our walls,  
Cursing our laws?

Do they not know, 
Our destined role, 
What they have done?

Should I have to ask? 
Where their Honor lies?
Adrift at sea, without a shore?
 
Do we no longer believe?
Do we no longer know,
This sacred word?
 
My cheeks are flushed.
My eyes runneth over.
My mind torn.
I don’t understand, 
 
I speak to you.
To you, our men of greatness.
Have you none? 
I don’t understand.

Have you not sold 
Our bodies, minds, and souls,
To sailors, drunk from the sea? 
	I don’t understand?

In what harbor do you sleep?
I don’t understand.
		I just don’t understand.
			Where your Honor lies.			

2/12/2026

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