[This poem was one of my earliest, c.1967. It was first published in the Marietta, Ohio Times. It was included in my poetry chapbook, THE LADY IN THE PINK HAT, published by Candor Press, Dexter, Missouri, 1969.]
These are tragic times when destinies lie Enshrouded by war's soggy drapes And hopeless elegies fair tomorrows deny Pitifully anguished days of separation-- Heartache, remorse and fear dare To overshadow the lightest heart's array Reclothing them in deep despair. O, tragic times when men must fight To preserve the nobler state; wend their way Through a thousand wrongs to make a right And spill their precious blood upon a field Carelessly--needlessly and call it honor's sake These are tragic times that death will not yield To life, and wars our bravest take. American Fellowship of Poets Peace Poem Prize, 1968 FOURTH PLACE WINNER Lines 8-11 taken from "These Are Tragic Times" entered into Liberum Divisa 5 Poetry Contest April 17, 2021
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