Terry Miller Poet Ballad

What Will They Learn

What will they learn
should I return?

All in the name of humankind, 
the country sends me off to war.
"Abandon those that you adore;
It's here in ink and blood; you signed."

The country sends me off to war.
"March forward; do not look behind,"
they say, "Your fate is predefined.
Abandon those that you adore."

What will they learn?
The country sends me off to war.
"There may be damage; body, mind;
abandon those that you adore."
Should I return?

Should I return
what will they learn?


Meditative Ballad Poetry Contest, placed 4th.
Sponsored by: Emile Pinet  
Date wrote: 13th January 2022

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David Smith June 30, 2022 at 11:55 PM God on you for posting this one. It seem destined to get more than a few thinking. All one can do is put it out there and hope it helps at least one who comes back to be given necessary support and understanding. Best regards David in NZ

Connie Marcum Wong February 4, 2022 at 10:09 PM This poem is so moving and a profound look at the pain for all involved when a soldier goes to war. The life-changing ramifications maybe devastating to all. Your poem is brilliantly written touching the heart of anyone who is a vet or has a vet family member trying to decide to return or not. I see why this rated high. Congratulations on your well deserved win. Blessings xxoo Terry Miller February 7, 2022 at 8:36 AM Thank you, Connie. Your words are so kind. This is a subject I return to occasionally, trying to express my feelings about war. If you are interested in reading them, here are a couple of earlier attempts, but I believe "What will they learn?" is the most potent thank you again so much. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/wounded_1333692 https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_boy_1349377

Christuraj Alex January 31, 2022 at 8:14 PM Great question. Bringing out great intricacies of the times. Beautiful writing. Congratulations! Terry Miller February 1, 2022 at 6:57 AM Thank you for visiting and your kind comments.

Greg Hladky January 31, 2022 at 4:39 PM Congratulations! An excellent question worth meditating on, so appropriate for this form. What will they learn? Hmm.... Terry Miller February 1, 2022 at 6:57 AM Thank you, Greg, for your kind comments.

Emile Pinet January 31, 2022 at 10:25 AM Congratulations Terry! Your poem earned a distinguished place in my contest. This contest was difficult, calling for exacting syllable counts and perfect rhymes, as requirements of this form. Well done my friend, Emile. Terry Miller February 1, 2022 at 6:58 AM Thank you, Emile, I am delighted to be placed at all; this was a tough challenge.

Andrea Dietrich January 13, 2022 at 1:07 PM wow, one of the best I have read in this category. I hope you get a high placement for this Terry Miller January 15, 2022 at 8:22 AM Thank you Andrea I found it tough to write this form.

L Milton Hankins January 13, 2022 at 9:35 AM Marvelous entry for Emile's contest, Terry. So much truth in these lines. Unfortunately, I suspect we learn nothing because we keep doing the same thing over and over. Terry Miller January 15, 2022 at 8:23 AM Thank you, Milton, it's a subject I keep coming back to, hoping to get the futility across, one day I'll write it.

Kim Rodrigues January 13, 2022 at 8:23 AM Wow, Terry! This is great! The questions nag…what is the fate…worth it? To leave those “you adore,” to not know if you will come back whole…is it worth it! Terry Miller January 15, 2022 at 8:24 AM Thank you, Kim.