Hans Larwin, "Death Directs the Bullet," 1917
Behind the proud mask of heroism
War is only the rotten maw of death
Brooking no question or criticism
From the lungs of the skeptic, it gulps breath
The moldy silence of the tomb, it craves
Extinguished minds muster no resistance;
About victory and conquest, it raves
Ravenously eating all existence
War vomits propaganda on the truth:
The eye of the enemy is your eye
The tooth of the enemy is your tooth
The cry of the enemy is your cry
War depends on an ancient, stinking lie:
The false distinction between you and I
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Comments (7)
Such a strong piece! Really captured the devouring nature of war
Wow this one is really Good D.J.! I especially loved the last lines. It’s never felt more true than today
A lot of great lines! Raves and ravenous felt very lyrical
War vomits propaganda on the truth: - what a line! D.J., this is timely as I wrote a microfiction yesterday which echoes this sentiment. One of my favourite war poets, Siegfried Sassoon, took pains to point out that it's just man killing man. I wish more could see it and its pointlessness.
Very powerful and timely. War is indeed the rotten maw of death!
This was so devastating and had so much truth to it!
This is a powerful critique of war as a destructive force that manipulates truth and perpetuates divisions among people!