Gershon Wolf Poet Suzette Prime

Off To War

Off to war he speeds, jolly
his generation's big chance
to defeat the evil enemy
   to destroy
   utterly 
   his cities
   his farmlands
      to take prisoners
      to gloat, boast and brag
to prove that his side is surely in the right --
yet, strangely enough, his evil enemy looks exactly like him

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Caren Krutsinger June 25, 2019 at 7:08 PM The ending line is profoundly scary, and frighteningly true. I imagine it hurts both of them when they face up and realize they are looking at a part of their own humanness. Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 8:34 PM It's very scary, that's for sure. Nobody wants to kill someone just like himself. Putting the face on war puts the lie to its bravado. :) gw

Kim Rodrigues June 25, 2019 at 9:44 AM So true! Gershon Wolf June 25, 2019 at 8:35 PM Yes, unfortunately so. :) gw

Paul Callus June 24, 2019 at 4:23 PM Both sides look at each other as enemies; if they didn't they would not dream of killing one another! This reminds me of a Christmas day ww2 truce when opposing sides forgot about war and enjoyed the occasion as friends. Regards // paul Gershon Wolf June 24, 2019 at 6:03 PM Ain't it the truth... Happened in WW1 too from what I can gather. Soldiers ought to lay down arms and let the leaders duke it out. :) gw

Arturo Michael June 24, 2019 at 3:17 PM Complicated...live by the sword die by the sword...we must find a better way... Gershon Wolf June 24, 2019 at 6:00 PM We certainly must find a better way than war...Then again, how long have we been saying this?! Thanks for your insightful comment, Arturo. ~ gw