Arms Or Alms? Poem by David Wood
Arms Or Alms?
Isolation, whether personal, corporate
Or national is never a good thing.
It's nice to see countries join forces
To tackle problems like climate change.
However, when countries join together
For military support two things happen.
Firstly, it raises fear and apprehension
Between other excluded countries.
Secondly, it will inevitably create an arms
Race which will be very expensive.
Military expenditure in 2018 was $1,774
Trillion, a 75% increase over the past
Twenty years.
It is shameful that this amount of money
Isn't being spent on ending world poverty,
The eradication of disease and tackling
Climate change.
We all live on the only inhabitable planet
In the entire universe, yet nations are
Creating enough weapons, that if used
Would destroy all life on Earth.
When will this madness end?
Your wonderful poem poses a most pertinent question before the global leaders: when will this madness end? Nations spending USD 1774 trillion on arms, whereas this precious money should have been spent on alleviation of hunger and universal health.
I fully agree and endorse what you have written David. What is this arms race for? Why war? what are we achieving by it?
Great poem, great advice. That unifies hearts and does not divide.
So rightly, denouncing what always has been. Billions used for our own destruction when they could be used to do so much good. A womderful poem, so clear and right, it should be read by many especially those ' in charge
I thank all of you for all your comments.As poets we could be more vocal to those in power but I'm not convinced they'll listen. The ballot box may be the only way.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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12/5/2025 10:41:31 AM # 1.0.0
" It is shameful that this amount of money Isn't being spent on ending world poverty, The eradication of disease and tackling Climate change. ".. most forceful write. Rulers, are you listening?
Thank you for your kind comments Unnikrishnan. I feel we are all sleepwalking into war.