"Taking Up Arms"
( © 2001 ) `
War is come upon us,
imposing our timid nation
to rise up and take arms.
I will march off along
with the rest of your sons
to that sea of blood,
Supplied by the rivers
of our throbbing wounds;
while honour and patriotism
collide in barbaric swill -
Tearing open our bodies
in those fields of hate
in that cold strange land.
This war is not our own;
We did not ask for this.
But as sons of our Fatherland,
we march off to war -
to fill that crimson sea.
.
.
-
Author:
crypticbard (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: April 7th, 2026 05:03
- Comment from author about the poem: A thousand pardons; for some reason the ‘community guidelines’ bot had somehow determined the poem and/or its video rendition to be for restricted viewing. But if you’re already logged onto your YouTube account it should play once you click on the link. Again, sorry for the inconvenience. 🙏🏻🕊️🎞️🎥
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 31
- Users favorite of this poem: NafisaSB
- In collections: delayed telecast.
Offline)
Comments7
Again, I cannot help but have visions of the film Lord of the rings. This certainly applies to much more than that. It seems an exhortation and call to arms that might well apply to any era. Nicely written.Cryptic
And also the regret of it. Most appreciated, dear Soren 🙏🏻🕊️
Most welcome Cryptic
Gritty, relentless, and unflinching—this one drags you through the mud of duty and blood.
The voice is mournful yet defiant, holding the raw weight of young lives caught in war’s machinery.
Glad that came across that way, Thomas. A very messy business we're all in. 🙏🕊️
Arqios, this really lands…that pull between honour and what’s actually happening, especially in that image of it all collapsing into something brutal. It doesn’t dress war up, it just shows the cost. I appreciate you putting it this plainly. Strong write, my friend..and no worries at all about YouTube…it happens. Is that your YouTube Channel? Love the video and the poem...again, great job! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
The abuse of honour, these are things that will be paid for in full when all is done. Reminds me of Samuel's warning that the sons and daughters shall be at the disposal of human leaders. An alternate channel, experimental at the time, still around, apparently. 🙏🕊️
Good write A.
Thanks O 🙏🕊️
A truly amazing message that should wake us up to what’s going on around us involving us though we never volunteered
Indeed. Thank you Safina🙏🕊️
keep sharing your thoughts - most welcome
Yes it's always the Humble people that do the fighting.
The people that start it stay in bunkers.
Hasn't that always been the case!? Pawns and human shields, sordid business. 🙏🕊️
Love "supplied by rivers of throbbing wounds." This is a somber statement of reality.
Thank you, Katie B; means more than words. 🙏🕊️
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