LatinosUSA

As a kid I was as daft as a brush. You see back then, having listened to my teacher at school on the subject of ‘Nations’, it came to me that the world would be a better place if humans didn’t mess around controlling their territory. To me the giving-up empires, states and whatever, life would be so much better with no need for wars and suchlike. To do so all we had to do was to get rid of the lines drawn on maps. At the time I thought that I was a genius! However, my teacher simply said, “Impossible. Think ‘religion’ plus a mass of other reasons. You’re talking rubbish. Now shut up and listen to me,” and that was the end of me.

As to this ‘blog’…such a terrible word is ‘blog’… my 'adult' poem regarding my childhood conception is based on that day with my schoolteacher and me. 

With that in mind, herewith, what was once my childhoods dream to see no more warfares by way of my magical  ‘Lines Drawn on a Map’. Sadly it was a pathetic ruin, that I know as an adult could never be

-

Behind the flag of nations
the armies march off to war
each claiming on their side
that He’s worth dying for
 
I’ve seen it on the newsreels
on TV in my lounge
we are immune from suffering
if it’s not on our home ground
 
Fire and blood are crimson
life is what we borrow
the flame of peace flickers and dies
and with it there's no tomorrow
 
The battles, politicians claim
are fought for a just cause
they sit inside their ivory towers
safe behind posh closed doors
 
They maim and kill the innocents
each one of them a hero
while those leaders toast 'their' victories
forgetting the old ones who die in Year Zero
 
I don’t mind to admit it
speak out loud and take the rap
that all the tyrant’s fight for
are just lines drawn on a map
 
Tell it to the mothers
of conflicts stolen youth
say they didn’t die in vain
let the mothers know the truth
 
And when you’re watching over them
with your drones and your spies
take heed of those mothers
when they say you’re telling lies
 
So go enrich uranium
if that’s your Gods request
manufacture viruses
to keep in your secret war chest 
but don’t ever try to disguise youself
when all hell is breaking loose
that the cause you claim you’re fighting for
protects your own God’s debatable truth
 
The planet cries out for new leaders
but all we get are clowns
jugglers, strong men; a freak show
what kind of circus is in town?
 
If I had just the one wish
I’d see the sabre rattle
I’d send the leaders off to fight
and watch them die in battle
 
Then they’d know of honour
when I have them in my trap
Then they’d know the truth of it
of those 'lines drawn on a map'

~

The picture above comes from La Coupole War Museum in Fance where a young Mademoiselle told me its terrible story, a story I shall not pass on.