Epitaph

John McChord

We who carry the rifle 

And see only emerald 

Destroy the darkness in which we live

 

Live by the sword 

And die in the night 

Search only for a purer world 

 

For your sake we ask 

Let us bleed 

Let it become our epitaph 

  • Author: J M (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 3rd, 2019 10:53
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 47
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors


Comments +

Comments2

  • Clara

    Wow... Just wow.
    It speaks to me of such self sacrifice for a better world...

    I read it through about six times just to fully let it sink in.

    CLARA X

    • John McChord

      Thank you so much for the feedback, I was hesitant to post this one as I wasn’t completely happy with it. Glad you found some meaning from it.

    • dusk arising

      Thoughts of living a noble and loving life surely should proceed any death wish.
      Or life is futile and killing / death is a goal.
      Is that what humanity is about?

      • John McChord

        The warriors purpose is in fact not killing or death, but sacrifice for what he left behind.

        • dusk arising

          Fairy tale belief of yesteryear. Gum toting ppl today are killers. Guns are for killing people with. Happens all the time in USA.

          • jarcher54

            Dusk, there is a long and strong tradition of war/warrior poetry. Some of it is slavish and glorifies nationalism and hedonistic violence and martial hubris, but I see John trying to tell us things about the warrior we need to know, however inchoate or initially stereotype, that the soldier's sense of duty toward us is what keeps the military from becoming a thing apart, ungoverned by civil society, like in some third world countries. Yes, the world bizarrely does not seem to have any focus on demilitarizing history, finding a new way, and turning all the swords and guns to plowshares and bicycles. But John finds himself where he is, and maybe this poetry business will rub off on his fellows. Maybe John's harp is exactly what the military needs. In the post-WWII film The Burmese Harp, a musician-soldier brings humanity and perspective to his company. It is a beautiful and thoguhtful film that every soldier should watch: https://www.pacificatrocities.org/blog/a-review-of-the-burmese-harp?gclid=CjwKCAjwtqj2BRBYEiwAqfzur6B6uEe_lHKbkYprS8xpC4aLAqmwoBkzm3Pdzd8PTM8N5FO74MGq7hoCT6MQAvD_BwE

            • dusk arising

              Why tell a disinterested me? Tell him DOH !!!

              • John McChord

                Thank you, that’s pretty close to the intent! The goal here was to focus less on the destruction and habits of war but the personal duty and mental crusade every warrior has to impart with. Thank you for the insight!



              To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.