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Thoughts On the War of Late

“Where have all the flowers gone,” the poet wrote A metaphor for those lost in a cruel war of late Lives that were wrested from home and family And thrown into a milieu of humiliation and hate No real purpose for forfeiting their young lives In conflict that obviously portended no good ending But then, what war of that magnitude ever does? -- Is worth our young servicemen and women sending To sacrifice their lives for some undefined honor Is it patriotism to assert ourselves in a foreign affair Methinks there are ulterior motives unexplained That did not justify the loss of lives way over there. written November 5, 2021

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/9/2021 7:44:00 AM

"Methinks there are ulterior motives unexplained" - usually we are using it as an excuse to steal their natural resources and make the richest of the rich richer.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/9/2021 9:13:00 AM

You've hit the nail on the head, Caren. I read recently where we had scooped up some minerals Afghanistan has in abundance. I don't remember what they were.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/6/2021 9:36:00 PM

Although this is about Vietnam, I think that Afghanistan is the most horrible example of a war for absolutely nothing. Look at that country now, Taliban-run. At least Vietnam got back on its feet somehow. Afghanistan never will, as its people do not have the will to do so, at least no in my opinion. ~ Just sayin'

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2021 9:23:00 AM

Oh, I think you are absolutely correct, gw. It really angers me when I think of the loss of lives, money spent, wasting time, energy, and effort in Afghanistan. Nothing of consequence was accomplished...but, oh, the loss of some fine young men and women on both sides who were only doing the bidding of their leaders. Foul play! in my opinion.

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 11/5/2021 6:20:00 PM

WHY???

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/5/2021 6:56:00 PM

That is a vital question, and I'm not sure it is ever clearly answered when countries go to war. Thanks for your comment, Shirley.

David Kavanagh

Date: 11/5/2021 1:51:00 PM

Always ulterior motives in war Milton, it's why they use propaganda, I believe unless your country is directly under attack and existential threat, then it's really hard to justify, some soldiers do enjoy the fighting and are only too eager to go, regardless of any hidden agendas by the powers that be, a fine thought provoking poem, cheers David

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/5/2021 2:13:00 PM

Thank you, David, for your thought-provoking and well-written response to my poem. I really appreciated it.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 11/5/2021 1:17:00 PM

When you think about it there are no real winners in a war just a terrible waste of lives. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/5/2021 1:24:00 PM

Ah, that is so true, Tom. When will humans ever learned?

Rico Leffanta

Date: 11/5/2021 11:51:00 AM

Last night I thought Veteran's Day will be difficult this year knowing our sacrifices resulted in a government which prohibits women from seeking medical treatment and prohibits doctors from providing it!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/5/2021 12:57:00 PM

Rico, it's hard for me to see how anything good or beneficial or productive came about from our years in Afghanistan, although I really had the Vietnam War in mind when I wrote the poem, i.e. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone." Thanks so much for your thoughts.