Thursday, September 1, 2016

Cubs of the Caliphate


image from hasbarafellowships.org


Cubs of the Caliphate 

“The ink of the scholar is more holy than the
blood of the martyr.”  from the Koran.

How do we win a hundred years war--
now that George W. has kicked off
New Millennium Crusades, gone too far,
and pushed us into a killing trough--

stoked fear levels to a record high,
stimulated martyrs to want to die,
activated lone wolves & radical cells,
helped to create inexorable hells?

Where do we find the pragmatic path
to shut down the deadly jihadist chatter,
to unearth those kinships that really matter
& stop creating all the bloody negative math?

For God wears way too many masks--
we find no answers in sacred text,
find no solace in empty platitudes.
We no longer can simply bask
in inflexible nationalism, or the next
lying promises from some demagogic dudes--

because once again we now must face
children with bombs strapped in lace,
who are dead before they ever lived,
little souls lost forever and never revived.

We are in the grip
of ancient prophesy, with
no egress apparent.


Glenn Buttkus

Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub

16 comments:

brudberg said...

I wonder how we really have created a world that is so safe, yet feels less safe than ever... I have never believed in the gated community though,

De Jackson said...

Your use of rhyme here is so strong, Glenn. Important questions pondered. I don't know the answers, but I pray for peace.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

The saddest side of war is what it does to children. Powerful writing.

Sanaa Rizvi said...

I agree, this is one heck of a powerful piece. Love your work with rhyme here.

Grace said...

When I read the news about it, I am shocked of the use of children. The innocence gone forever, including their lives. God may seem to wear many masks, but it all leads to the One. Enjoyed your reading Glenn.

Walt Wojtanik said...

Great rhyming here, Glenn. Each draws us into the next. A well written piece!

Sumana Roy said...

I like the quote from Qur'an...needs to be read worldwide..."because once again we now must face / children with bombs strapped in lace," everything's been said here...a powerful write...

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

Well rhymed, and too sadly true.

kaykuala said...

Once triggered off the evil cycle continues. The audacity of 'mission accomplished' hailed loudly but now in tatters against humanity without any conscience. Great rhyming on a tricky subject Glenn!

Hank

said...

That boy is the cutest thing ever. What a fantastic title.

This is obviously an excellent poem, but you really took it up a few notches with your reading. I love the way you read "negative math" and then the way the emotion in your voice heated up as you read the next stanza.

Unknown said...

In a world where hatred and fear mongering are the norm, I'm a bit worried that there is no egress.

Judith said...

Wow! Powerful words and reading! Excellent work!

Mother Wintermoon said...

Comment above is mine. Was signed into my old Blogger account.

Victoria said...

Really excellent interpretation of the quote from the Koran, Glenn--with a easy flow of rhyme that doesn't trivialize the subject.

annell4 said...

You have written very sad words to a very sad song.

Anita Lubesh said...

Very potent an powerful account of today. I spend half my time writing with this subject in my head and the war cries of young children. Your words and rhyme were was a comfortable and fitting vehicle, and the message was not lost. Lovely.