The ABC's Of War

[Patdolan83]

A is for atrocities and artificial reasons
B is for the burials of bullet ridden bodies
C is for the casualties caused so callously
D is for the death toll that distends and deepens daily
E is for the empty shells eroding in the earth
F is for the fortune which is fought for, which comes first
G is for grenades and guns and greed and its for grandeur
H is for the heroism in the face of certain danger
I is for the innocent and defenceless little infants
J is for the justice that is absent in these instants
K is for the killing fields where mankind cruelly fall
L is for the lies of those that lead us into war
M is for the millions murdered for whom there was no mercy
N is for the needless death of babes straight from the nursery
O is for oppression that grips entire nations
P is for the politics for which I have no patience
Q is for the Quarrels that lead to mass destruction
R is for the reason which often is religion
S is for the sacrifice that soldiers make each day
T is for terrorists who are brainwashed to be that way
U is for the understanding this world will always be
V is for vermilion tears that cover all I see
W is for the war that's coming, the time bombs already wound
X is for the xenophobes who wear their hate so proud
Y is for the yesterday's, from which we all should learn
Z is for the zealots, who wish the world to burn

[Hem]

Excellently expressed. If we did not name God and if our faith was personal and noble as well as universally accepted, then R would not be the case. Each line exposed the truth. I don't think I have read such a fantastic alphabet poem ever. Thank You.

[songofmeadow]

Brilliantly shocking, the irony of ABC (associations with nursery innocence and the basis for learning) in the title add a poignant note and I agree the best of this form I have read, meadow

[Patdolan83]

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment....thank you also for all the kind words

[RogueInk]

Brilliant expose of the horrors of war. It's too bad we can't settle disputes by flipping a coin or playing tug of war. I liked how you were able to rhyme fairly consistently and your use of alliteration.

[ladymaybebaby]

Great piece... great use of the form... the diction is sublime, this is no call to arms piece to get everyone riled up and arguing, you handled that part brilliantly! So glad to see this piece shine in the spotlight! Congratulaions and much deserved!

-LMB
xoxo

[Josie]

I enjoyed your use of alliteration. Walt Whitman was a very patriotic poet to me, who was deeply moved when he faced the atrocities of war he witnessed while he visited and volunteered his care to the wounded and dying. Y is probably the most important one to me because we have to be open to learn so we don't continue making mistakes that cause mankind regrets in future years.

[tangerinepie]

A very interesting and unique poem, which certainly brings the atrocity of war into perspective.Well written and a well deserved spotlight choice..Tangie..

[SirDaniel]

It's sad that those who send us into war don't give it as much thought as you put into your poem.. I enjoyed the read and I must agree with the concept, there are far to many reasons why we fight. Best wishes, congrats on the spotlight.

Daniel

[JASON]

yes B to me is the sad one + it's not always the soldiers bullet ridden bodies...
how about p for profiteering...war is such a short unassuming little word
but it packs a big punch - congrats on the spotlight.

[Larsen M. Callirhoe]

well written well deserved spotlight poem. now that being said, i could say much here but it still doesn't bring back the dead killed from warfare or fix the bloody carnage caused by this extremism of war either. like sir daniel said it is sad that the people who send the youth to die in unpopular wars don't put much thought or stock into sending a youthful stranger off to fight in an unknown war to die who happens to be my friend. i wish war wasn't so, but politics and some religions carry the line to far these days. life should be about caring and living. your poem certainly points out the sorrows and autrocities of war and warfare. excellent poem with much thought put into it. thank you for sharing.

victor

[Patdolan83]

I am so happy my write was chosen for the spotlight. Thank you all for the kind comments

[SirFleshwound]

A creative way to highlight the many facets of war. Congrats on the spotlight.

[musie]

WoW! This just pretty much tell's it like it is from A to Z....a very creative way to make for a powerful impact in the reading.....It really hit's home for those who do not like to think about all the going's on of War...and really I felt a myriad of emotion's throughout this well written piece...Very good work! And most deserving of the Spotlight...CONGRATULATIONS! Musie

[dornicks]

THe time taken to read this was time well spent and has a great impact. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on the Spotlight,

dornicks

[AliMariesDad]

Highly moving and thought-provoking. Well worthy of the spotlight.
AMD

[everhopeful]

Really solid use of form here, I like how you have garnished the already tricky abecedarian acrostic form with end rhyme and alliteration while tackling the overall theme with an appropriately confrontational style of imagery - the subject matter at hand warrants such an approach.
Congratulations on the spotlight.

[Patdolan83]

More wonderful words....thank you all so much. This piece did take longer than I'm used to to write, but it was definitely worth it