Patriotism

Have you ever thought about the Death of Christ?
Why did they crucify him?
If you read the story then you know
But what I ask is why didn't God stop them?
It's natural to protect our own
How could he let him be sacrificed?
For the good of all man I've been told
God sacrificed his only son for us
But what does he ask in return? What does he want?
Are we supposed to try and emulate him?
I wish to know
I don't understand his decision
To not help his only son, I couldn't do that
But I do know that is why we are not gods
Do people who give their lives for others emulate God?
When a solider dies for our country is he dying for us?
Or freedom? or both?
Are the parents godlike in their sacrifice of their children?
Like Christ when he sacrificed his only son
Or is it more than that?
Is patriotism just a mindset to get people to fight?
When one country is mad at another
It's the leaders who argue not the countries
Why can't the leaders fight and leave us alone?
Do leaders send their own children to fight and die?
Why should I send my children to fight and die for you?
Are you a God? Do you have my interests at heart? Or yours?
You say it is in the name of freedom, but whose freedom?
We have never been free
You send me to fight, kill, and die
And yet you say I am free, free to do what?
Free to murder those you want dead?
Free to send my children to their death for you?
Who are you again? Are you a God?
I fight for God not you
My children are not targets or murderers
And now you demand my children to be your shield
Who are you again? Never mind
I know who you are it's very plain to see
You are not a god you are a coward
You are evil and you are trying to destroy us
You are lying to all of us just as you always have
You speak of freedom
As you try to blind us with patriotism
And silence us with duty and honor, Meaningless!
From one who knows nothing of their meaning
I wonder what God would say to you
Knowing who and what you are
Would he forgive you?
Would he understand your deception? Would he?
I could not forgive you, this is why I am not a god
I can't forgive, I am vengeful, I would punish you
Without mercy
For allowing this deception of youth to continue
Maybe you believe your right but I can't believe that
You know what your doing is wrong yet you continue
One day you will pay, as we all will 
We are all guilty to some degree
But most of all we are guilty of sacrificing our children to you 
Who are you again? never mind
I just remembered, your the devil
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Nolan Avatar
August 18, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Thank you all so very much for your comments I can not express my appreciation enough for your support. It really means the world to me, Thank you.
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
August 17, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Congrat Eric on your win in the contest. Vince
Jordan Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Eric congrats on placing in the contest - God Bless, MJ
Johnson Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 3:20 PM
You ask the questions we all ask only perhaps not so eloquently. Congratulations on the win. Joyce
Nolan Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 2:34 PM
I am completely gratified that people liked this one and even more shocked that people understood it. Maybe I am not so crazy after all............. Thanks to you all for your comments
Mason Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Smile ... lots of powerful questions in this write, Eric !! Excellent writing and a sure winner in Debra's contest! Congratulations!!
Brown Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Deborah's contest Eric. Love, Carol
Lewis Avatar
August 14, 2009 at 6:02 AM
Congratulations for your winning poem. TL
Smith-Johnsen Avatar
August 13, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved win in Deborah Guzzi's "War...what is it good for?" contest. It is easy to see why you placed in the contest. Sincerely, DAS-J
Higgins Avatar
August 13, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Congrats on your win.
Guzzi Avatar
August 5, 2009 at 5:30 AM
Thanks for your blog input!!! You've got soup mail! Light & Love
Nolan Avatar
February 2, 2009 at 8:56 PM
Donna, I am gratified that you liked this piece it was something I needed to say for a long time and I am equally pleased that people like yourself support this position. I thought for sure it would stir up controversy but yet nothing has come. I do like your line "one who burns in the safety of silence" and would like to use that in a future piece if you would not mind ? let me know if that is alright. Thank you for your thoughts Donna they mean a great deal to me.
Golden Avatar
February 2, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Eric, this is an important and relevant piece. I have long said that I more admire someone that speaks up for what they believe (unpopular or not) than one who burns in the safety of silence. I applaud you for this bold and eloquent statement. Donna G.
Nolan Avatar
January 16, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Your right Yoni people do need to hear these things but I find that a vast majority have died intellectually or simply do not care. We have created a society that no longer wishes to think because its to much effort. The powers that be have done a great job in numbing the human spirit to the point of cognitive extinction. As long as the fast food flows and the cable is working and the latest gadget keeps us amused we will continue to follow the song of the siren into oblivion. Thank you Yoni
Dvorkis Avatar
January 16, 2009 at 9:31 PM
All I know is you're the only poet on this site I've found so far who can write a long entry that I read with the same eagerness as a good novel. I usually have difficulty with long poems, even great ones like the odyssey. I'm at the point right now where I'd rather piss people off than receive another congratulatory comment on having my poem featured despite the fact that I paid money specifically to have it featured. You know it just as well as I do, people need to hear these things.
Nolan Avatar
January 15, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Thank you Yoni, sometimes I think to much and this is the result. I just have way to many questions and not enough answers. The original version of this poem is much longer but with the limit of 2500 words I had to trim it down to get my point across. I appreciate that you liked this one I was somewhat expecting people to hate it considering the subject matter. People don't seem to like when their patriotism is challenged. I was thinking of entering this one in the contest, what do you think ?
Dvorkis Avatar
January 15, 2009 at 8:35 PM
wow this is strong, really strong. I'm glad someone else agrees that patriotism is a lie built on a lie. There's a reason why most sci fi movies that take place in the future always have an entire planet function as one government, that I can understand. All other borders and boundaries serve to divide people and then pit them against each other. One thing I could say is actually what you said: God is Peace. But then if God is Peace why does he do something that's not peaceful like a sacrifice?
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