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Splendid Youth

 

The war is sucking up our splendid youth.

They’re racing to the front; they won’t come back.

Each town and village starts to empty out,

As friends and classmates go on the attack.

They’re fighting for our dignity and state

Of freedom and of happiness pursued,

But consequences, each one plainly knows,

Could be unmentionably vile and rude.

In these now quiet streets the young once dreamt

And plotted better worlds, from dawn to dusk.

Those who return will never be the same;

If frames are sound, their minds will be a husk.

The greater good may warrant sacrifice,

But war’s destroyed illusions are not nice.

WarUkraine

◄ Landmines

Le Plat Pays ►

Comments

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Stephen Gospage

Sun 3rd Jul 2022 20:48

You make a very good point, Mahira. Thanks for your interest and support.

Mahira Pamnani

Sun 3rd Jul 2022 12:51

Absolutely true! War brings nothing but destruction, not only that of property but destruction of peace of mind, of happy families and of the youth that can change the world for the better. Beautifully written.🙌

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Stephen Gospage

Sat 11th Jun 2022 08:13

Thank you very much, Greg and Keith. Yes, the pity of war and the destruction, both human and material, that it causes is something very real. We must support Ukraine but also find a way to bring this terrible war to an end.

And thanks to Nigel, Rose, Aisha, Stephen, K Lynn, Holden, John, Rudyard and Leon for liking this poem.

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keith jeffries

Fri 10th Jun 2022 08:49

A poem which so very well expresses the reality of war and its awful consequences. "their minds will be a husk", sums up those who survive. Let us pray for a swift end to this useless conflict. Long live Ukraine.
Thank you for this
Keith

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Greg Freeman

Fri 10th Jun 2022 07:59

The title recalls Owen's 'Anthem for Doomed Youth', of course, Stephen. As you may well have intended. Another poem from you full of pity and empathy. Thank you for keeping Ukraine's flag flying.

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