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The Rules Of War

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*General William Tecumseh Sherman was an American Civil War general who, before the hostilities began, warned: War is hell!

Counterintuitive Poetry Contest Sponsor: Suzette Richards 1St Place

We are admonished by guardians of civilization to battle the enemy with due civil restraints Yet with a nagging visceral realization we know wars are not fought by saints Rules of war shield all children from harm disallowing rape and torture and pillage soothing unease, assuaging alarm reassuring every town, farm and village Long ago Sherman warned us war is hell as knowing heads bowed with grim words unspoken Now lulled into another innocent naive spell we learn again rules are meant to be broken

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Joe Maverick

Date: 1/10/2025 12:30:00 PM

All war is too raw..' To evil and often contrived.'

I Am Anaya

Date: 12/10/2024 9:07:00 AM

Congratulations on your #1 win! Well-deserved! Counterintuitively in war .

Robert Gorelick
Date: 12/10/2024 9:14:00 AM

Thank you, it means a lot. My best, Robert

thriveni c mysore

Date: 12/10/2024 3:26:00 AM

so true, congratulations on your win dear poet. powerful write it is.

Robert Gorelick
Date: 12/10/2024 9:13:00 AM

Thank you, it means a lot. My best, Robert

Michael Tor

Date: 11/27/2024 8:13:00 PM

Robert your message is clearly felt by those that read that wars are not fought by saints, the rules of war are great rules to abide by but in reality they are broken too often. General Sherman was ahead of his time. His realization of "War is Hell" was spot on. Mankind's inability to work things out is evident in the many wars, and existing wars that go on. As time goes on it aggrandizes and eventually will be out of control. Sadly for these men in Power it is their solution. A side note

Robert Gorelick
Date: 12/1/2024 10:21:00 AM

Man's inhumanity to man and raging hatreds have lives of their own. When we stop hating the enemy, we will turn on ourselves until no one is left. Ordering my book will more a blessing to me than anything else. Happy Holidays to you and yours. My best, Robert

Michael Tor
Date: 11/27/2024 8:16:00 PM

ordering your book tomorrow Thursday. One of my wife's Christmas presents. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with all your friendly little friends. Adios Amigo...

David Kavanagh

Date: 11/14/2024 4:11:00 PM

War is dirty business Robert, yes there are rules of engagement, but none of us are naive enough to believe this is the case in the field (well maybe some), a powerful piece here, says just enough to remind us counterintuitively war will always be hell! Cheers David

Robert Gorelick
Date: 11/16/2024 9:24:00 AM

Thanks for your comment. Just learned about the atrocities committed by Allies in France after D-Day, covered up for 80 years. Cheers, Robert

I Am Anaya

Date: 11/14/2024 8:39:00 AM

Robert this is so intense. Wow, the rules of war don't apply when soldiers are hardened into criminals by the brutality of war. Tears flow as my fist clinches when images of the war's destruction on innocence appears daily in the media. Who is Sherman? I'd really like to know to understand. Beautiful poetry, Robert. I am faving! Great counterintuitive contender and message for the ages! ~Anaya

I Am Anaya
Date: 11/14/2024 9:27:00 AM

Ty now I shall research...General William Tecumseh Sherman

I Am Anaya
Date: 11/14/2024 9:20:00 AM

I read this..."General Sherman, they believe, is the only eminent American named from an Indian chief" According to Sherman's Memoirs, he was named William Tecumseh because his father had "caught a fancy for the great chief of the Shawnees, 'Tecumseh'". He was a crucial element in the Capital Union's victory, loved by the North hated by the South, burned the South to the ground. Ty for sharing, Robert! GL

Robert Gorelick
Date: 11/14/2024 9:04:00 AM

General William Tecumseh Sherman was an American Civil War general who, before the hostilities began, warned: War is hell!

Robert Gorelick
Date: 11/14/2024 9:03:00 AM

II. There are rules of war which are written down in the articles of the Geneva Convention and the World Criminal Court. There are also combat rules of engagement written in the Unified Code of Military Justice, making torture and other practices criminal offences.