Home » Poems » Brian Sambourne » Onslaught

Onslaught

A center stage of flood light probing,
      desperate living in a murderous onslaught 
war's naked inhumanity
          sky tearing rockets, a pinpoint rage
casualties that define a battlefield
carnage that sticks to history
joyless existence for those flash-blinded by fear
               upgraspable horror that fails comprehension

What drives global mayhem?
territorial expansion, the lust of thieves
                                      the dictator's creed
imperialist thrust to chop at a culture's roots
                                to replant borders through blood-shed
                                                                               greed
onslaught war in tanks of clattering woe
brute spectacle of citizen dislocation

Do we ignore war till it comes to us?
as history hooks another dark cloak
no civilized dictatorship 
no reserve to deflect blame
authoritarianism that hasn't breathed its last
for the murderer scheming in plain sight through 
                                                                        rubble-years
        cumulative scars of foes push his nervous tick
        an unending pleasure 
        malice that sticks like lipstick on a mirror

Do we just change one war for another?
Or is peace like the buried secrets of mummified souls?
                                   still struggling to be heard
Knowledge of survival that evaporates like steam


Poem composed October 3, 2022
Contest: Pick A Title Volume 32
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh

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Thomas Wells

Date: 10/30/2022 11:34:00 PM

Wow! What a powerful antiwar poem. "...the lust of thieves the dictator's creed imperialist thrust to chop at a culture's roots to replant borders through blood-shed greed" This is a chilling line and so true. I am grateful there are voices like yours that are not afraid to say it. Great job, Brian!

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/31/2022 8:08:00 AM

Hello Thomas, Dreadful news that the slaughter of Ukrainian people goes on. War is a machine that grinds out sorrow. I hope that you are well. Thank you for your affirmative note. With appreciation, Brian

Michael Tor

Date: 10/19/2022 3:23:00 AM

Congratulations Brian receiving a winning placement.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/19/2022 6:22:00 AM

Hello Michael, Much appreciate your stop by + congratulatory wishes. I hope that all is well with you. Cheers, Brian

Edward Ibeh

Date: 10/17/2022 5:09:00 AM

Excellent, powerful piece, Brian:-) Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest!

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/17/2022 6:20:00 AM

Thank you Edward, for the recognition as I never know what to expect when I enter contests. Your kind comments + vote of confidence are much appreciated. Best wishes, Brian

Valsa George

Date: 10/14/2022 8:14:00 PM

War, its outbreak, its causes and the misery and pain it entails- all so powerfully analyzed in this evocative writing. Congrattulations Brian on your well deserved win.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/14/2022 9:11:00 PM

Thank you, Valsa, for your stop by + affirmative message. I truly value your input. Be well. Brian

Gary Radice

Date: 10/14/2022 12:36:00 PM

Great to see a Brian Sambourne poem at the top of the tree where it belongs. 'Onslaught' tells it how it is - ironically in FREE verse. Are you reading Mr Putin & co?

Gary Radice
Date: 10/14/2022 1:39:00 PM

Hi Brian - I meant to write: "Are you reading this, Mr Putin & Co?" :) He and other dictators could do well reading your excellent poem. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/14/2022 1:09:00 PM

Hi Gary, You certainly know your irony - free verse that touches on Putin's brutal authoritarianism. I follow his dictatorship in the New York Times. Thank you for your thumbs up on my piece. Be well. Brian

Ann Peck

Date: 10/14/2022 10:38:00 AM

Oh, your words so terrifyingly beautiful--a summation of humanity. It's beginning to seem we can't accept peace; we refuse to excise hate; future will be repetition of dictatorial past. your poem is wonderful to speak of these truths! Congratulations on your First Place!

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/14/2022 1:15:00 PM

Greetings Ann. Thank you immensely for your affirmative note. I am always delighted + surprised by any placement as free verse is not always accepted in contests if rhyme is preferred. With appreciation, Brian