Songs of War

American Friends are always kicking my backside and telling me not to be so diffident about things I have done. So when I saw someone had opened a group for rhymed poetry I thought as this one is nominated in Britain's top poetry prize I should let the world of Gather see it.

Songs of War
(nominated in best single poem category)

Above the land bold flags are rising,
old men speak, their words despising
enemies beyond the shore.
From dawn 'til sunset fanfares ringing
echo sounds of children singing
songs of glory, songs of war

From city, town, village and valley,
ardent for victory young men rally
to defend their nation's cause,
marching to their fields of glory
to repeat the age old story
and sing again the songs of war.

Distant sounds of warplanes bringing
payload of death from far lands winging,
filling minds with fear and wonder.
Far from conflict and the slaying
in churches wives and mothers praying
their lives will not be torn asunder

Far from home the armies muster
inspired by some warlord's bluster;
right is theirs, they must prevail.
And they march, so many heroes,
caught up in this mad bolero,
towards the batteries vicious hail.

Across the country cries of mourning
widows, orphans; victory scorning,
lament the men who sing no more.
From the debris of destruction,
flourishing among corruption
and suffering spring seeds of war.

In young hearts old hatreds nurtured,
carried on to flower in the future.
Retold forever in tones of awe,
legends of soldiers whose endeavour
clothes in such patriotic fervour
evil that fuels songs of war.