Having seen war-torn Iraq and that stare
The hollow eyes of civilians only wanting to live
Then only wanting peace at any cost
A foreign power freedom couldn’t give
Humanity would lose its grip gradually
The locals know the invasion will end
The people know who then will be in control
When the invaders run out of lives to spend
Working Corrections you are initially taught
Inmates nothing but a number to count
You won’t understand what you see for a time
Needs of the institution always paramount
Learn that weak inmates are bought and sold
A lost soul with tattoos on neck and face
Lives in a cell with his current owner
Among inmates humanity has no place
A prison, like war, leaves room for slippage
Each day your morals can become worse
Some become the sum of their environment
Sacrificing your values a path to a curse
Our troops are trained to care for civilians
Local children there will hold their hearts
Prison staff not highly trained nor professional
A need to set an example a good place to start
Grand ideas put forth in these words
Staying humane would take us very far
But then again if you only think deeper
With humanity no need for prisons or war
JBentley-07April2025
-
Author:
JBentley (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: April 10th, 2025 12:31
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 9
Offline)
Comments3
A noble poem with a noble message that we are far from reaching. As long as there is greed in mankind war and prisoners will exist. A wonderful poem
My message is intended to guide troops and Corrections staff alike to remember to maintain their humanity. What resides in the individual is so important.
The double edged sword, everyone is entitled to humanity you would like think, but those who feed the wars and commit heinous crimes are devoid of any humanity themselves, interesting and well written write.
My message is intended to guide troops and Corrections staff alike to remember to maintain their humanity. The frontline is where humanity is practiced or ignored and so easily forgotten.
I remember reading a martial arts teacher's thoughts on war. He was stationed in China during the Japanese occupation back around WW2. He said, "In a war, many humans lose their humanity." I can't imagine what you've witnessed.
Thank you. Maintaining your humanity is the only way to keep your honor. Had some who didn’t really understand it. That makes it tough.
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