The Struggle Poem by Jonathan Howard

Yes, the men were killed that day,
And all who saw stood still;
And so, it is that all we men just may
Sense requiems’ sounds’ shrill.

The battle lasted just mere hours,
And war was brutally rough;
Now we cover graves with pretty fl owers,
Terrifyingly tough.

But why, oh why do people fi ght
For land and town and throne,
If we cannot yet see the shining light
(Which trembles at the bone) ?

If peace we claim and land serene
We build for man’s own sake,
Maybe we [for war] will stop being keen,
Man’s life won’t be at stake.

Why bloody battles spill our veins
I cannot tell you yet;
And as I’m bombed by battle planes,
I know that bet, I know the threat –
The Armageddon’s set.

(Winter 2004-2005.)