Smoke
How hauntingly beautiful, yet frightening
It gathers and mingles, from a myriad of sources
Each one as destructive as the other
Heavy debris settles, yet it remains
A reminder to the horror that has been unleased
A warning of potential danger to others
Cloaking the vision of the present, hoping to cloak the vision of the future
It has no feelings of remorse, yet no feelings of achievement
At times it seems to weave in and out of areas and around obstacles, as if not wanting to be stopped
Yet, other times It seems to cling to objects, as if holding on to its own life
Not wanting to succumb to the elements which will destroy it
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Religion
The world is changing in so many ways
On the verge of chaos every day
It’s hard to imagine why it would start
The killing of children, the burning of art
It’s been this way since the dawn of time
Your God is wrong, because he’s not mine
To kill for religion, a must they are told
God wills it, and that’s how it is sold
I don’t understand how their ranks seem to fill
If Allah is all powerful, why does he need your help to kill
Religion
The leaders, full of intolerance
Religion
The seed that seems to sprout violence
Religion
Man wrote the scripture, not women, not child
She must be burnt, she’s a witch, she is wild
She gave her opinion, the book won’t allow it
So man will decide when her cross should be lit
God’s word is clear, and must be obeyed
I am his messenger, on your knees for forgiveness you must pray
You can’t interpret yourself, just believe what I say
You must kill unbelievers, Allah wills it that way
Deity names may be different, the violence the same
The young do the killing, the older Teacher to blame
A man of the clothe must not take a wife
But fulfills his desires and destroys a young life
The leaders see nothing, it’s easier that way
But the carnal perversion continues day after day
If he is discovered, to a new parish he must go
But he is still happy, more seeds he can sow
The new parish unknowing, open arms he is given
The Vatican sees no harm, he is apparently forgiven
The abuse just continues, day after day
I am a man of the clothe, God wills it this way
Religion
How many wars have been fought
Religion
It’s for God, that is the way we are taught
Religion
Millions have been killed
Religion
Won’t Allah be thrilled
Go to the Vatican, the opulence quite clear
It’s all for God, have now worries, do not fear
Billions in artifacts, just there on display
Thousands in revenue, day after day
We know there is starving, we know there is anguish
But our money is for God, let the UN feed the famished
We need massive churches; we need all the believers’ money
We need opulent lives, full of wine and honey
Our bank accounts stay full, day after day
We understand there is suffering, but God wills it this way.
Religion
The basic premise is sound
Religion
Not violence, on peace it was found
Religion
Just one sentence to put on the shelf
Religion
Do onto others, as you would want done to yourself
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Silence
Silence
Broken by a sharp crack
An instrument of anger slices through the air
It has no conscience
It does not care
Slamming into flesh and bone
Ripping through her heart, her soul
Silence,
broken by a thump
A body falls to the ground
Drained of life and hope
On her way home with the groceries
What had she done
She was no soldier
She carried no gun
Silence
Broken by the cries of a child
He sits at the window
To watch his mother come home
He sees her, he smiles
She falls, she is gone
He does not understand
But knows he is alone
Silence
Broken only by despair.
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My previous post left off with my wife, new daughter and myself being posted to Esquimalt, B.C. after spending 3 1/2 years up in Haida Gwaii. I really enjoyed my time in British Columbia. It was both challenging and rewarding. It most certainly was life changing. I sailed aboard HMCS Algonquin, where this army green Corporal sat somewhat strapped in my chair with rope and my chair with wheels was also secured with rope. Coming out of the Straits of Juan de Fuca in a storm. I was working in the Electronic Warfare Equipment Room, within the highest working part of the Ship, referred to as Top-Part Ship. Thankfully, that was the only time I have been sea sick.
My second sailing was aboard the USS Coronado. The US 3rd Fleet Command Ship. I was the night shift Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Supervisor. I had re-attained my rank of Master Corporal and was surprised to receive my promotion to Sergeant. I was most certainly a picture of tri-service dress and deportment; wearing Canadian Naval Combat Dress, with my green army belt and my green beret, promoted to the rank of Sergeant with Air Force rank slip-ons. That was the only rank appropriate epaulets they could get. I was promoted/pinned by Rear-Admiral Brown, Commander of the US Third Fleet.
The next day my awesome Canadian boss, Lieutenant-Commander Paul Grimshaw asked me if I would accept a recommendation to Commission From the Ranks (CFR) as an Intelligence Officer. The CFR Program is not one a Non-Commissioned Member (NCM) can apply for, you can only be recommended. Sergeant was the minimum rank needed to be CFR'd and the next initial Selection process was beginning in days. My boss faxed my recommendation from Sea. Of the many days I could have been informed that I had been selected to be CFR'd, I was informed on my birthday, while visiting the Vancouver Aquarium with my Family.
A Soldier's Book of Poems: Poems 13, Fourteen & 15.
I will continue my story with my next poem/s.
As noted before, I did not place my name and date of completion with my earlier poems. However, all of the poems from my book are copyright protected.
E.J.R. Hardy.
