White Feathers Sprayed Red

We war with impunity

And weaponise such things as the 
beauty of flowers

And all for what ?

When come today we have to guard the statues and Cenotaph that commemorate our fallen heroes

Only for them to suffer in death the indignity of being treated with such contempt for the very same right's and freedom they gave their lives for

You student's
You self effacing intellects
You political prophet's

You protest
You gather 
You march
Underneath your slogan or banner 
in righteous indignation of your cause

Such bravery
Such charity
Such courage
Such sacrifice

Once more into the breech
the rallying cry to those
with spray can in hand to vandalize
under the cover of dark with face hidden behind a bandana

I doubt their is anything you would be willing to lay 
your life down for apart from maybe your computer and internet access 

So next time you log on do yourself a favour and research
your family history and see if any of your family members
lost there lives and think there but for the grace of god go i

These statues and monuments are not supposed to justify or glorify war the complete opposite in fact they are
to remind us of the futility and human cost
but most importantly of all the cause Millions of people
deemed worthy dying for

I wonder if year's to come
how you will be viewed by history

Will people gather to commemorate you
build a statue in your honour
be you remembered by a bank holiday 

Or will you hopefully end up instead being a
footnote in a museum

Entitled

When you don't understand your history

And talk before you listen

You run before you can walk
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Lamoureux Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 8:16 AM
I personally like poetry like this because it causes one to think. Like you, I am one who’s goal is not to engage in an argument, but rather a conversation. If all of us were to share the same vantage point it would be a rather beige existence. Thanks for the thoughtful responses. Blessings Rick.
Lamoureux Avatar
June 20, 2020 at 7:15 AM
I think our perception is shaped by where and who we spend our time with. Conquerors will always write history to suit their own narratives. I believe far to much blood has been spilled for that which no one even remembers. It is glorified so that young men will be seduced to fight for the next cause and so that fat old men may prosper.
Flaherty Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 8:26 PM
Engage everyone and all Most especially your foe Then Engage them In your opposing view points Talk , Converse , Discuss Educate , Learn , Listen Review , Repeat Talk , Converse and Discuss And then Engage again Unless you feel that it is an argument you can't win Because your point is wafer thin
Flaherty Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 8:01 PM
In regards to your Son and millenialls its my own personal rant Richard against some not all and it is a generalisation i do not wish to tar everyone with the same brush and in no way suggest i am in anyway right. I do not have any children but you are obviously a caring father which i respect. Thank you for engaging i genuinely have learnt and took on board your comments. And i love nothing more than conversation and if nothing poem achives nothing else at least it has begun or started 1
Flaherty Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 7:45 PM
Agreed Richard People seek like minded people myself included to affirm our own views and again yes right again history is written by the victorious. And yes again guilty it can also be viewed and used as a glorius seduction. I suppose its all about your own personal view point and perspective depending on your point about who you are influenced by. But i take on board all your points and did stop me and make me have a rethink as this is a personal rant
Lamoureux Avatar
June 20, 2020 at 7:19 AM
Having witnessed my son and his friends I am hopeful for the future. I respectfully say that your portrayal of millennials is a bit of a caricature, I believe that someone with your intellect would very much enjoy a meaningful conversation with one of these extraordinary young people. It will quicken your pulse and make you feel more hopeful.
Kavanagh  Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 4:51 PM
Wow now this is a poetic statement from a poet We’re not worthy Christopher, needless to say probably get slated and corrupted by the millennials for your honesty, great stuff David
Flaherty Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 5:17 PM
Don't care about getting slated David so long as it can be backed up and has a point and admitting to the fact i have learned a lot off you and the greatest compliment i could pay you is when you commented on 1 of your poems in spite of criticism you put across your point of view based on fact and personal experience and had the balls and conviction to say this . I STAND BY EVERY WORD I SAY You can judge a man by what he has to say
Labyrinth Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 4:54 AM
Out of all the poems in your portfolio, so far, Flaherty...this one is the strongest and most intelligent. Regards, I'm no expert, L. x
Flaherty Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 3:01 PM
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Infinity Leanne
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