War
23 February, 2003
Author: Mark Spencer
Prepare thyself oh nation,
For the letting of thy blood.
And the needless waste of life,
Swept away in its flood.
The ones called politicians
Are arguing once more.
They call upon the people
To go and fight their war.
Tucked away in their bunkers,
They will make their demands,
While the blood of our soldiers
Will be upon their hands.
They ask for understanding,
For the cause we’re fighting for.
We should hand them a rifle
And send them off to war.
Would they march into battle,
In peril for their lives?
How would they justify it,
With their families and their wives?
Would they then vote in favor,
For battle to begin?
If their lives could be forfeit,
Would they be so eager then?
I pity thee oh nation,
Your victory now is lost.
For the wages of this war,
Will not be worth the cost.
| Tweet |
Comments on this poem/writing:
| Martin Vann (67.28.89.100) -- Wednesday, April 9 2003, 11:36 pm I just did not know how to respond, your poems have so often, left me feeling hollow. No words, could I find, no way to respond, your words, just left me drained and empty, no, not really, hollow, just empty. I have read so many of your peoms, unlike many others, you give more than you take. I received your words and I just can't find a way, to reply. So, often have you nailed me to the cross, and all I can say is, My God, My God. This site, will forever, have an empty space, but now I know were to go, and refresh my faith, and even so, I may not reply, for your words, take mine away. Your Brother, Martin Vann |
| Mark Spencer (152.163.188.230) -- Thursday, April 10 2003, 02:25 am Martin, I'm sorry about the empty feeling. They've left me feeling like I'm climbing a mountain of late. The message poems are nearly all I'm writing lately. If you get a chance, read WHO WAS THE ONE, and THE DEAL. Martin, I don't want you to feel you need to leave praising feedback for me. I would be satisfied to receive acknowledgment that you'd read them. Even "This sucks" or "I don't understand this at all" is better than no word at all. As I said once before, I don't like feeling like I'm talking to the wall. The wall doesn't care. I do. Lately I've posted my 5 poems and taken a look at the previous 5 as I'm posting the new ones. That has been the extent of my interaction with this site over the past few weeks. The other site responds positively and negatively. It may not always be good, but its there. They've read them. That's all that matters. I've had debates, agreeable conversations and arguments over my poems there. But they've read them, and it made them think. If I can make somebody think, as I had to do to come to where I am today (not that I'm anywhere near being anything more than a guy looking for answers like everyone else), then at least I've given them the same opportunity that was given me. From there, It's their choice. Who better to expose to parables like THE RACE, MY DAUGHTER'S FRIEND, THE FIRST STONE, FALLEN ANGEL, THE PASSENGER, ANSWERS, THE VISITOR, THE PHONE CALL, SUICIDE, I COULD HAVE BEEN, A HERO NAMED RAY, THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, THE BARD and IN GOD'S DEFENSE, than poets. Touch one poet and you've also influenced whoever is touched by the work you inspired. If I've inspired you Martin, then I have also touched the many people who read the fruit of that inspiration. For you have many readers. Keep up the good work my friend. Rev. Mark R. Spencer |
| Justus Isaiah Richardson (205.188.208.105) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 10:40 am Ya know, I've read every one of your poems Rev. and they don't leave me feeling empty! I think, what you call your message poems are very insightful! I can't argue any of them, and I love to argue! I really believe you've been touched by God. The only reasons someone might not respond to your poems are.... 1. They don't believe in God. 2. They do believe in God and resent being reminded of the areas in which they fail everyday. 3. They do believe in God and resent being reminded of the areas in which they need to improve. 4. They wanted to be touched by God and resent anyone who appears to have been touched when they have not. 5. You don't appear needy and they can't give you advise, or console you. 6. Some people like to wallow and flock to other people who like to wallow. 7. Some people like touchy feely, love will last forever, dream world garbage and want to continue to see the world through rose colored glasses. 8. Why do you give a damn what these people think anyway? Some people couldn't be touched by God if they were standing in his hand. What makes you think that, just because they're poets, they have any more wisdom or insight than my frikin' horse? Come on Rev., just post your poems and don't worry about these people! If they don't read the messages you write, that's their problem! What about the one who's actually looking for the answers that only one of your new poems could provide? If you don't post it, they won't find it! Come on boss, at least think about it, OK? Justus |
| Roy (205.188.208.105) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 03:57 pm this sounds good and I like it but what's up with war they went on from the beginning of time? I wonder what Justin is he talking about? War is no friend I believe to any of mankind. yeah it terrible in deed! I like your poem it something we all think about! Heck war is outside my door with rape and crime. I pray to God everyday and what's up with war God's got a plan no to worry about the mess this world is in but I'll be darn if I stand by losing hope in God in time like this. The old saying,Stick and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me? Sometimes words do hurt!Keep the good writing it touch me!!! |
| LinzAy (152.163.188.230) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 04:25 pm I read this poem earlier and thought it was good.....but truthfully didn't think good was any type of justice for it so left nothing......And as you have been able to tell, none of my comments are long if at all 3 words!! And i just sometimes feel that your poetry deserves more than just a "good writing" but dunno how to say it. I don't feel that just because a poem of yours gets only 1 or 2 comments or none that your message goes unheard.I have a few friends that only have access to this site in school but aren't able to leave replys without getting caught....and yours are writings they find inspiring.Your words are getting read. I feel it's a childish manner to just stop posting on this site because ur not getting the feedback you want....if that were the case for me, i woulda stopped submitting along time ago....but i kept submitting and i send in a poem everynow and then that gets a good response....i woulda let that all go just b/c one or two poems didnt get what i wanted it to. I guess i'm very disappointed that you will not be gracing us with your work anymore.....you were one of the poets whose work i looked forward to seeing in the "new poems this week" section....goodbye |
| LinzAy (152.163.188.230) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 04:28 pm yea.......meant to say Martin in the subject thingy box! lol...my bad |
| Roy (152.163.188.230) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 06:05 pm Martin I go with LinzAy and agree and I say again it touch me! I've written many poems and many I've got no comments. Hang in there! If you can do this one then I believe you reach out thru your words even more |
| LinzAy (152.163.188.230) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 07:47 pm DARNIT!!!!!!!! I keep saying martin instead of Mark...what the hell is my problem!!!!! lol....MARK i meant MARK!!!! lol.... |
| Martin Vann (65.56.174.60) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 09:40 pm LinzAy, The difference between MARK and Martin is this, my brother Mark has been to hell and brings back messages he received while there. Wheareas, I, Martin, am on the path back from hell and follow Mark's trail. I can see, why you may confuse us as one, that is how close I follow his words, just like your shadow, revealed by the sun. MartinV |
| LinzAy (205.188.208.105) -- Thursday, April 24 2003, 09:44 pm Yea, i'm a ditz...i shoulda been born blonde! |
| Tarna (63.65.186.112) -- Friday, April 25 2003, 05:08 am Though this particular poem I do not agree with as our military is a military of volunteers. Who do know the costs of being a soldier and some totally do desire war. And would vote in favor.. Most of your poems just leave me speechless. I too am sorry to see you leave but if you only want praise for your work maybe you are doing it for the wrong reasons. There are many writers on this site that are very worthy of comment but yet none is left. Some of the very best in my opinion. But they too leave you speechless. Including Dreamer's work.. Do they give up and say comment or else I quit. Nope, it is because poetry is in your heart and if it touches just one other person or makes someone stop and think for a moment it has done exactly what was planned. It doesn't need to be praised. Making such a statement, as you have, only makes you look shallow and attention seeking in my eyes. But they are my eyes and my opinion... I will not leave a worthless comment to take up space and just say I read a poem. And if I am left speechless I just am... and for the record I think I am a bit more wise than a "frikken horse" |
| Mark Spencer (205.188.208.105) -- Friday, April 25 2003, 03:41 pm In my opinion Justus, these people are quite talented. I have enjoyed many of their poems. Stop trying to pick a fight! As far as praise goes, I don't need it at all. I really don't care if I ever receive it. All I'm looking for is an ear for the messages I've been writing of late. If you disagree with the message, tell me why. Many of my message poems are used as subject matter for my Bible discussions. But you can't have spiritual discussions if you're the only one talking. All that matters to me is taking the experiences I've picked up on my journey from agnostic to Christian minister, and the insights that God was kind enough to share with me, and pass them on to others. If it saves a person from taking the wrong turns I took, then I'm doing the job that I believe God wants me to do. Some of my poems are just that, poems. But the message poems are not. They are spiritual lessons and insights. I don't care if people think they're good poems. All that matters to me is whether or not they heard the message and understood it. If they did, do they agree or disagree? Do they want to express their opinion in response? This is what ministers do. They minister to the souls of those who are searching for answers. I am one of those souls myself. I find my answers when these messages come to me, but that doesn't mean I fully understand those answers. Sometimes dialoging with others brings the answers more into focus. I'm not looking for praise, just discussion, and perhaps a debate or two. I'm tired of tiptoeing around this issue, and worrying if the subject of God is going to offend people. If it does offend you, tell me why! I'm ready! Hit me with your best shot! If it makes me shallow to want to do my job and spread the messages I've received and know they were heard and understood, then I am shallow. As long as someone manages to find their way back to God in the process, I'm fine with it. Rev. Mark Spencer |
| Roy (152.163.188.230) -- Friday, April 25 2003, 04:54 pm You ar right about the horse comment and I commend you on that matter Rev. You are picked I believe for that gift as I was and am for evermore as long as I am in this world with a voice(Amen)There have been time in southern baptist ministry I have had to Rebuke Preachers over me for good cause. God's Children Myself I choosed the way like John out from the wilderness and at best my household was saved and many more if I can remember. We do not all sow or reap and the rewards are wonderful for either. Keep up with you poems and I will see your annoitment and my heart will be filled with joy for you!!!I would just place my trust in God with what He did for me in Jesus. Without fear my name is Roy and 55yr plus with a big family and many Christian friends and some that are not but that's my field to work under the one church. I do email and enjoy being in a protected room of God and I can not use this room so send me mail anytime( to (snip: sent privately)inter that room and please close the door behind you..Thanks |
| Justus Isaiah Richardson (205.188.208.105) -- Friday, April 25 2003, 11:38 pm Rev. what I meant by the horse thing was this; If I write a poem expressing my love for grape soda, it could turn out to have great meter and rhyme and be well written. People could love how I tied my words together with profound passion. In the end, however, the poem is only about grape soda. Does it mean anything to anyone? No! Save for a handful of nuts who are in love with grape frikin' soda! I'm not saying the poetry isn't well written! I am humbled by the talent of some of the poets on this site. But what are they writing about? Some write very profound poems, and I applaud them! But a vast majority of them write about grape soda! Pretty, sad, happy, loving or dark, but meaningless to anyone but them and a couple of like minds. My horse inspires love, awe and joy just by running, or even just standing still! He makes people think about what a beautiful creature a horse is! That inspiration is effortless for him! All he has to do for it is just "be". My horse stands for something! You stand for something Rev.! Roy stands for something! Dreamer stands for something! So do a few poets on this site, like Martin, Capricorn and Barbara as well as several others. But the majority stand for things like grape soda. In the end, putting nothing on that paper that could inspire anything more than a fleeting superficial emotion. At least what my horse inspires stays with people he touches. Justus |
| Roy (152.163.188.230) -- Saturday, April 26 2003, 06:03 am Yea,Mark this is a fine poem as I have said with it I met a great man by the name Justin--thank you for the poem and a new friend as a "kicker" so you gave me more than a poem called "War" but I haven't drank grape soda in many year--ho ho--Thank you Justus you must be talking about all the good ones on this wsite fer I just learning to read much les write--Take it away Mark |
| Smyles (24.50.163.64, 1) -- Monday, August 11 2003, 05:39 am My friend, (snip)I want you to know honestly this is the first time I've ever seen your work, and may be the last, but I can tell you that I'm amazed and love your work of art you've got going on. Poetry is my favorite, and you do a good job on all of It. Remember no matter what others think or say to you or about you, I liked/loved your work, It was great. To be truthful I got sent to your page by accident, (snip) TAKE CARE; GOD BLESS YOUR WORK & U Mr. Spencer : ) |
| |
Click here to read other Poems by Mark Spencer
Copyright©2017-1999 by Rebecca R. Hammack
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: All Rights Reserved. No part of this website, including all pictures and written words, may be reproduced or copied in any manner from this website without permission of the original author of the work. All poetry and pictures herein remain the sole property of the original author and/or copyright owner. All poetry on this website has been submitted by the original author of the work. To contact any author of the work please e-mail: dreamer@dreamersreality.com so the proper person may be notified.