This Is The World

by Ed or Ian Henderson   Jul 2, 2008


This is the roll call for the people who care.
Shout to be heard! I know you're out there.
To all that do not, I say let it be known
You deserve nothing in life you see as your own.

This is the Standard that we'll form up behind.
Fashioned for sacrificed slaves of the blind.
Men who gave their all, and how little that was
Didn't matter a jot in the name of their cause.

This is the rank and file of respect,
For those whose memory time will neglect.
We'll stand to attention, if just once a year.
Appreciating the fact that we can stand here.

This is the chest that no medals adorn.
Pride still intact, though no uniform worn.
The mindset is pacifist, not thankful for war.
But thankful for service, and all it stood for.
This is the field where the poppy still grows.
No stench of cordite to offend my nose.
This is the world where the soldier still dies.
This is the world. Led not by the wise.

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Latest Comments

  • 16 years ago

    by Sourav

    After reading couple of your poems I started to believe that I've finally found a 'different' poet in this site. Something different... this is what I always look for. You made me speechless! I just love and admire your writing. Fascinating!

  • 16 years ago

    by Sweetdream

    This was wonderful and very original! your originality is really what made it stand out the most! i loved it!

  • 16 years ago

    by Ray Smallshaw

    Ed I read your comments initially in the discussion form about yourself,you no I am not a good poet.That is why I am here writing this as this poem makes mine insignificant with its contents, meter and flow being an ex-RN CPO and having seen so many of my friend die out in the Falklands you do get a message of the futility, yet pacifism is not the answer, or turn the other cheek as now and then Stalin, Hitlers come along and caos occurs it is then Men turn up to protect what is right for there contry and there family. We are not clones and that individuality always throws a spanner in the works. Yet I understand were you are coming from. I was lucky and in over 23 years of service never really raised my hand in anger I like to think that if my country had required me too I would of, the great writer George Orwell wrote,"Pacifism is objectively pro-fascist. This is elementary common sense. If you hamper the war effort of one side, you automatically help out the other. Nor is there any real way of remaining outside such war as the present one. In practice,]he that is not with me is against me.' "
    A thought provoking poem well written your good man 5/5 Ray

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