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Againanam (poem)

By Rick Harrienger

The poets have fallen silent
what more is there to say
we've warned you of this next defeat
but you persist away

Insensed, humiliated parents at
our broods bent for destruction
our apoplectic pleading
our hopes and dreams reduction

When more have chosen suicide
than all the IUDs
so reminiscent of the war
we fought in '70

But wait! We're nation building now
or chasing terrorism's tail
but never to conclusion
our warriors chose to pull the plug
than live in that confusion

Their leaders' giant sandbox to
test and build new toys
the stalwarts of the technocrats
whose ear Barack enjoys

Yep! "They might come in handy
to put down strife at home"
if one should listen closely
you'll hear hear our founders groan

If this is all our youth are worth
then damn you everyone
you'll not only lose the war
you pollute the hope for freedom

We poets are romantics
(at least it's true of me)
my muse would have me write of love
or spirituality

Instead I seem condemned to dream
of horrors I know too well
of body counts and protests
I find my soul's in hell.

A banner in a headline
3 languages: "GO HOME"
ironically it's captured by
a million dollar drone.

—Rick Harrienger