copyright cwmartin 2012
the water
in the well
runs red
red with the blood
of children
children
seeking safety
in their parents’ arms
the water
in the well
seeps into
the river
like the truth
of their deaths
and
the river
runs red
now
with the blood
of mother and child
who sought only
freedom
but found only
the river
the red river
it runs
to the sea
the sea
runs red
red with the blood
of conscripts
conscripts
for global greed
fighting for unseen
sheltered men
of wealth
who manufacture
flags of glory
for those who
might
survive
and
the seas
embrace
land
and the lands
run
red
Read Between the Minds 
What a powerful outflow of red comprising of blood of children, blood of freedom, blood of safety ,blood of global greed!
this was scary Charles. Very, very scary and true.
gory imagery well patterened ;a poem that builds up crescendo ;bavo martin
I think of Houla when I read this poem, Charles, and the depravity of it all is making me feel a rather world-weary tonight.
I heard that story/
On *This American Life*/
This is greed’s army/
#haiku #army #USallies
Wow. So intense, so heartbreakingly true.
Wow!
as always to the point, never missing, and learning – thanks, Charles
this can stand alone easily in its rawness and with the strong voice but def. want to check out the link as well..
This hurts, so sad to think about
Apart from the pain and power behind these words, I think they would make for some amazing song lyrics. Do you know any musicians who have ever set your poems to music?
I know a number of musicians but have never approached them about my poetry…but I like the idea. 🙂
Very effective use of repetition to hammer home the horror of it all. Love this bit:
who manufacture
flags of glory
for those who
might
survive’
So true – there is always a manufacturing of the truth post war (and other horrors, like the destruction of the environment from mining companies) to make the destroyers look good. What really annoys me is that these type of people who run huge corporations really believe that they are doing no harm or reallyl don’t care – sociopathy in action.
You are one of the best poets I know. This is a richly textured, moving poem. Bravo!
the water
in the well
seeps into
the river
like the truth
of their deaths
This is among some of my favourite lines of yours, ever.
However are we going to put an end to all these rivers of blood?
Graphically sad and poignant – powerful poem, Charlie!
It would appear we have the tools to take care of everyone, but not the will. Tragic.