Robert Lindley Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/civil-war-casualties

Civil War
 HISTORY
Civil War Casualties

The Cost of War: Killed, Wounded, Captured, and Missing
The Civil War was America's bloodiest conflict.  
The unprecedented violence of battles such as Shiloh, 
Antietam,Stones River, and Gettysburg shocked citizens
 and international observers alike.  Nearly as many men
 died in captivity during the Civil War as were killed in the 
whole of the Vietnam War.  Hundreds of thousands died
 of disease.  Roughly 2% of the population, an estimated
 620,000 men, lost their lives in the line of duty.  Taken
 as a percentage of today's population, the toll would 
have risen as high as 6 million souls.

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What Is Life Worth

What Is Life Worth

Beast of burdens
fans the flames
spitting out
dark, morbid names

sad music plays
chaotic chords
no delays
for raging hordes

old, bloody sheets
hospital beds
time awaits
severed heads

gaping wounds seared
hot iron quick
ghastly smells
flesh rotting sick

crying out moans
warrior's pain
more each day
red-battle stains

deep dying throes
venom seeps
into souls
about to sleep

iife having fled
sorrows come
battle reds
doctors save some

cripples for life
war's true cost
wicked scars
innocence lost

rich merchants smile
gold coins clink
in pockets 
as black-death winks

so far away
bloodstain earth
new battles rage
what is life worth

What is life worth?

Robert J. Lindley, 1-05-2019 
Rhyme, ( On The Savagery of War)

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Brian Davey January 15, 2019 at 8:47 AM Another great write Robert. The way you arranged the lines in this poem add such a stronger effect to a horrific part of our past! Good luck in contest

Susan Ashley January 11, 2019 at 8:56 AM My dear friend, the quick pace of your expressive poem doesn’t take away from the deeply thoughtful moral message presented. You deftly weave together, in meaningful threads of imagery, the horrors of man’s inhumanity to man that stir the depths of my heart and soul. Brilliant poetry, Robert, with great impact and that asks such a profound question to end your compelling piece. Warmest wishes my wonderful friend.. ~Susan

Sunlite Wanter January 10, 2019 at 6:21 PM You would think you were actually in that hospital!

M. L. Kiser January 7, 2019 at 7:33 AM A moving poem regarding one of the most horrid wars in America. I don't think that people who create war have any regard for life. Not even their own or the children's. You've covered everything here quite well.

Carole Duet January 5, 2019 at 3:16 PM This is absolutely wonderful, Robert, as those death knells ring so true. "War is (truly) hell" and this poem shows it in its reality. One of my grandsons just joined the Army and I'm praying he will never see real war. P.S. *soupmail

Lawrence Sharp January 5, 2019 at 11:33 AM The lines are so short, and that makes it quite pacey, it has a very pleasing effect. Very good poem.

James Marshall Goff January 5, 2019 at 10:53 AM Yes Robert! you are the bard of truth!

James Edward Lee Sr. January 5, 2019 at 10:02 AM Robert, a righteous write honers to you a Fav I view Write on, for there's no age in the verses you write or sing... James