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Rob Carmack's Screwed Xxi Contest Resubmitted 17 June 25

Young Man In Battle


A threadbare sigh relentlessly lisps
    while he begs with twilight 
    for inner calm;
    Dear life...he is just a  young man, 
     wobbly  feet wanting to run away
     from unknown ground which reeks of 
     territorial conquest, of violence inhumane
     as spitting bang of bullets explodes:

Just like one nameless label
 of life's bloody route ,
    he turns into a fetal shape on the road
    leading to nowhere; not even hell--
    till grunts of combat lamentations
    echo upon the breeze;
    crushed grains hurling a lone figure
    half alive, half lifeless 
    with rosary beads on his neck... 
    amidst purgatory of eve.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Kendrick Avatar
June 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Congratulations on your winner. Way to go. War is not something that humans need to be doing but they still happen. Sara K
Carmack Avatar
June 22, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Good to see you back on the list.
Hind Avatar
May 1, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Very beautiful, deep, deep thoughts...the end was powerful
Rolland Avatar
May 1, 2025 at 3:40 AM
this is so sad, your poem has such delicacy and empathy, enjoyed reading
Beaufort Avatar
April 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Nette, it is hard to comprehend how and why we send people off to experience this sadness. You paint a very frightening and grim picture, and I hope it helps people realize that peace is a good alternative. Smiles.
George Avatar
April 28, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The young soldiers listening to the explosion of the gun and the shower of bullets must be longing to run away from scenes of war. But their sense of duty make them stay and incidentally fall down wounded, half dead and half alive. Powerful poem, dear Nette.
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