Futility of War
My grandfather fought in the trenches
With the gas, whizzbangs and machinegun rattle.
My father fought in the hills of Italy
With howitzers, tanks and the roar of battle.
Neither would talk of what they’d seen
Of friends mown down like cattle.
They’d both come to realise
That tales of bravery were mere tittle tattle.
The reality was luck
Nothing to do with valour at all.
I was the lucky one
I never had to fight
For Queen or country
Or see our cities set alight.
I never had to question
If this war was wrong or right.
I’ve spent my life in peace
And never had to fight.
For seventy four years that peace has held
The longest time in history.
But do we have to question why?
For it isn’t any mystery?
The United Nations
And the European Union
Have brought nations together,
Not in conflict, but communion.
Far better to talk and trade
In complex collaboration
Rather than to bomb and blast
And remain in isolation.
Opher – 1.10.2019.