Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

Innocents

 

(On 21 July 2022, it was reported that 15,000 Russians have died in Ukraine and 45,000 have been wounded).

 

Fifteen thousand Russians dead in Ukraine;

Innocents, for the most part, made guilty

By the vicious vanity of old men,

Using the war like a wild young lover,

To prove they can do it, still get it up.

In their pointless, far-off rumpus, blood spills

As one hundred per day give up the ghost:

Bombed, blasted, burned, shot, all variations

On the path to death. Strewn haphazardly,

Each leave families, multiplying grief.

Locals bury some bodies, while the rest

Are casually bagged, or not seen again.

Three times as many are wounded, not dead;

But that’s just a detail, as someone said.

 

Ukraine

◄ Gig Economy

Ceremony ►

Comments

Profile image

Stephen Gospage

Sun 24th Jul 2022 14:40

Thanks for your kind support, John, which I always appreciate.

KJ - I think you have said it all. As Spike Milligan said:
"Young men they were, young men they stay;
But why did we send them away, away?"

Thanks once again.

Profile image

kJ Walker

Sun 24th Jul 2022 08:50

A good point, well made.
There has been many atrocities and war crimes carried out by the Russian forces in Ukraine.
But on the whole they are young people forced into a situation which they never asked for, and don't understand.
What they are doing is unforgivable, but they are only the puppets.

Profile image

John Botterill

Sat 23rd Jul 2022 22:10

I agree with Stephen. Superb poem, Stephen.

Profile image

Stephen Gospage

Sat 23rd Jul 2022 16:08

Thanks for your kind words, Stephen, and for your verse, Nigel, which just about sums it all up. Thanks.

And my thanks to Frederick, Dean, Julie, Holden and K Lynn for liking this piece.

Profile image

Nigel Astell

Fri 22nd Jul 2022 20:45

The older the lover
the harder to prove
better to stop now
before shame catches up.

Profile image

Stephen Atkinson

Fri 22nd Jul 2022 18:29

👊 A powerful truth, Stephen. Absolutely sums it up. Brilliant stuff as usual

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message