whiskeytiger

I had another political rant written but I figured I'd spare you all since I've been on a non-stop rave about this or that since I joined SG. There is another reason for me to put ink to paper (or finger to key) and that is poetry... I am a musician after all, and what's poetry but songs w/o music (that sounds manly doesn't it ) Although admittedly I do write to some sort of tune in my head. My influences include Charles Simic, Billy Collins, and Will Shakespeare. I wrote this one shortly after my friend Vicki went to Baghdad for a third time. "You better outlive your mother" - MCD

Troy

I've seen the funeral pyres grow bright
With sons and brothers
Who will never see their wives again,
Who will ne'er again taste the wine of their homeland.

What sense is there to battle for love;
To drain the blood of men's hearts
For the sake of a woman's, but
Are you prepared to sacrifice your own?

The sand is stained with war,
Don't let it claim my brethren.
They wish not to reap the spoils;
Only to set foot on their own shores once more.

But what then would benefit from death tonight?
Not a man's honor, but his selfish pride
Just an excuse for power,
To stir the ashes of his rivals' bones.

This man, not a man at all
Who would give up gold and gods for glory,
Hiding behind the shield of
Fifty thousand he swore to stand in front of.

Now the city burns, plagued with deception.
Worse; the wooden horse or the cause for war?

What will you tell those heirless mothers,
Whose sons lay blinded by the weight
Of those two dreaded silver coins
Fated for the ferryman's purse?