Vintage military-issue pith helmets at the recent brocante at Chatou, France.
This post is part of the March 19 Blogswarm against the Iraq War - a group of bloggers opposing the war in Iraq and calling for a full withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
Five years. Over one million dead. To date, over $522 billion spent, with another $70 billion allocated for 2008 and hidden costs set to skyrocket up to $3 trillion, according to Columbia University economist Joseph E. Stiglitz and Harvard lecturer Linda Bilmes.
Perhaps the cruelest tragedy is that all this death, destruction and chaos is based on 935 deliberate lies. Here's my anti-war poem:
NO MORE WAR!
No more war
and senseless bloodshed
for the lies of a feckless government
and their greedy corporate friends.
No more horrific deaths
of soldiers and civilians alike,
innocents
caught up in relentless mayhem
of bombs and explosions.
No more journalists and aid workers
killed or kidnapped
while trying to help
heal the wounded beast:
a country whose complex history
suggests no easy solutions.
Insurgents seek to undermine
every opportunity for peace
while corrupt leaders
squabble like bickering children
and fail to govern,
relying on us.
No more children taught to hate
and trained to kill
to avenge their fathers
brothers and sisters.
No more vicious cycles
of violence and rage
fueled by extremists and fanatics,
who take advantage of the
rich man's thirst for oil
to suppress and stamp out
any semblance of peace and normalcy,
abusing power for their own ends.
No more war.
No more weeping into open graves
or risking life and limb to buy food.
No more no-bid contracts
awarded to Cheney's cronies
who grow fat and wealthy,
yet projects remain on hold
as the danger escalates.
No more tall tales
fed like pablum to the mainstream media,
then duly reported to a gullible public.
No more mothers' tears and fathers' sorrow
for children struck down
while walking home from school.
No more injured soldiers
flying home to no jobs
and post-traumatic stress,
then losing their homes
paying for urgent medical care.
No more lies
No more spin
Tell the truth
STOP THE WAR!
Tara, your poem is so true...and heart touching. As I read it, I had to stop and read again..aloud this time. Thanks for feeling, writing and sharing
Posted by: Bhavna | 28 March 2008 at 17:47
I'm anti-war, but I also just love the fact that we went over there, basically caused all of this, and aren't going to fix any of it or even try. As for the protests in DC, I don't feel they are actually doing anything other than costing the District (to which I pay taxes) money and causing major disruption to my life by (from what I saw) a bunch of bratty spoiled kids who thought it was the cool thing to do. I have no doubt there were some impassioned anti-war activists, but from what I saw, that was not the predominant component of the protests. It was like a huge party. A huge, disruptive, costly party...and what will it do? Nothing. (Am I jaded, or what?)
Posted by: Christine | 22 March 2008 at 17:35
Tara...truly powerful piece. I read it aloud to my kids and got all choked up in the feeling of the words!
I also read them the stats too.......
Posted by: awareness | 21 March 2008 at 15:06
Oh yeeaaah!
Posted by: susanna | 21 March 2008 at 03:53
Beautiful. If you decide to run, I'll vote for you, too! Yes, no more lies! No more spin! Tell the truth! Stop the war!
Sometimes I think it's ALL lies and spin.
Posted by: pepektheassassin | 20 March 2008 at 21:26
I grieve right a long with you my friend. Beautiful impactful poem. Run for pressident, I would vote for you.
Posted by: Yoli | 20 March 2008 at 19:45
Oops. I posted this in the wrong spot, by the speech. Meant to do it here... so, I'll do it again... I'm so very proud of my friend Sarah, who is a freshman at Trinity College in D.C. She was arrested yesterday as she protested the war at the IRS headquarters! Her dad is a colleague of mine, and I've grown up with this "little girl" since she was born and selling girl scout cookies at the station. She was in our Kevin's graduating class, so I've followed her in lots of ways throughout the years -- as a band member, in the play, and as a knitter! She was even in the background of a photo on the BBC site (they were taking the woman in front of her, who was wearing a read coat. She was sitting cuffed (I think) in front of two policemen!
Sarah said they kept her phone and wallet to send to homeland security. This makes me mad and makes me laugh. I would have never thought my little personal brownie scout would be on the homeland security list! You go, girl!
Posted by: jeanie | 20 March 2008 at 19:06
. . . .and girls.
Posted by: Rosa | 20 March 2008 at 18:04
I missed this yesterday, but yes! Bring our boys home!
Posted by: Rosa | 20 March 2008 at 18:04
I share your sentiments. And while I will always protest war, it seems futile. The powers that be never ever learn. After Vietnam, you'd think. But no. Hubris always wins the day. Which is why anti-war people should remain steadfast.
Posted by: Colette | 20 March 2008 at 17:42
NO MORE WAR
a big hug to you Tara. I keep reading you even if I don't comment always. I thank you for raising so important topics Tara
Posted by: catalina | 20 March 2008 at 16:09
Awesome, passionate poem - NO MORE WAR! JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 20 March 2008 at 04:54
Very well said. You have a great way with words. Let's hope this ends soon.
Posted by: Carla | 20 March 2008 at 03:49
You are a natural born leader, aren't you? Well thought out and impactful words here Tara. I read this in the morning but sadly was busy with work to comment earlier.
I am unaware of the Blogswarm, but I like the idea, and will click through the link you gave us to read more.
Thanks for keeping us in the know!!!
xo
Posted by: Gillian | 20 March 2008 at 02:40
Thank you for the way you are able to express your words. The words that live in my heart.
xo
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 20 March 2008 at 01:52
thought provoking & eloquent poem... but such a tragedy we are experiencing yet again. i hope the changes in november really are true changes and not just more of the same ol' same ol'.
Posted by: studio wellspring | 20 March 2008 at 01:03
Great post and poem. The cost, both in lives and in money spent is getting ridiculous. Not to trivialize all the lost souls, but we wonder why our US economy is in the toilet...
Posted by: My Melange | 19 March 2008 at 23:59
Tara, you are amazing. I am going to link to this post. Your poem is perfect, every word of it.
Posted by: tangobaby | 19 March 2008 at 19:25
You have such a powerful voice and such powerful words. This has gone on long enough -- one day was too long.
Posted by: sherry | 19 March 2008 at 19:08
An amazing poem, and illustrated with a stunning and perfect image. Bravo.
Posted by: Jeanie | 19 March 2008 at 18:52
How true all of that is! What we need is love and understanding for our fellow man and woman. Wars are evil. Women never go to war, because they bear the children and love and tend them, nurturing them as they grow up over the years into young men, becoming brothers, fathers, uncles. Why can't women have more say in all the decision making?
Posted by: Wildlife Gardener | 19 March 2008 at 18:47
Passionate words Tara! I wish there was a good pull out plan that is in the works.
HUGS
Posted by: Tammy | 19 March 2008 at 17:40
I love how you use your voice. I lost my father in the Vietnam War. When will they ever learn? The consequences last a lifetime and affect generations to come. And how perfect is that solemn photo?
Lisa & Alfie
Posted by: Lisa & Alfie at The Pickled Hutch | 19 March 2008 at 17:20
No more WAR! Your poem is spot on, sistah!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 19 March 2008 at 13:21
Un poeme parfait! UNE PHOTO PARFAITE !Nothing to add . MO MORE WAR
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | 19 March 2008 at 10:11
A Perfect Poem Miss Parfait just let's hope it all comes true
Posted by: Di Overton | 19 March 2008 at 08:07
I could not agree more. How many more have to loose their lives in this senseless war?
Posted by: Enzie Shahmiri | 19 March 2008 at 05:13