The Old Soldier Speaks Again


Why did you think it would make me proud
To go abroad and kill a man
Because some fool averred you can?
Didn’t you understand?

Didn’t I teach you use your head,
To look before you charged ahead,
To question orders, take a stand?
Didn’t you understand?

Please read more by Gary Corseri


BY GARY CORSERI

Why did you think it would make me proud

To go abroad and kill a man

Because some fool averred you can?

Didn’t you understand?

Didn’t I teach you use your head,

To look before you charged ahead,

To question orders, take a stand?

Didn’t you understand?

You think some medal on your chest

Will bring your blasted eyesight back

Or stop the screaming in your head?

Didn’t you understand?

God lift my bones and let me stand

By my son’s side before he dies

And catch the tears when my son cries--

Why didn’t he understand?

God grant this foolish race of men

Mercy first, and foremost, then

Justice and a wisdom-heart.

And may they understand.

Tell charlatans who yawp for war

To send their own child first, and more—

Let them hold a dead child’s hand

So they may understand.

Not drums of war are beating now; but breasts

Of mothers, wives, are beaten, and their cries

Jar heaven—O hell on earth!

Why didn’t they understand?


___________________________
Gary Corseri has taught in public schools, prisons and universities. His work has appeared at World Prout Assembly, Dissident Voice, Palestine Chronicle, TeleSurtv.net, CommonDreams, CounterPunch, The New York Times, Village Voice, Uruknet, City Lights Review, Atlanta-PBS, Thomas Paine’s Corner and elsewhere. His books include: Manifestations (edited); Holy Grail, Holy Grail; and A Fine Excess. He can be contacted at: corseri@verizon.net.


Last Updated October 27, 2006 9:54 PM

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