Stealth is Everything
Drone, circling for attach.
Silhouette on desert-blazing moon,
a crooked arc,
soon makes a gaping space
in an Afghan town, bro-
ken
lives
Quivering mouth of a mother
calling for her boy
in this cave that was
his school two minutes ago.
Medics minding limbs
destined for amputation.
Crowd chants a renewed vow
of vengeance, fists in air.
(Dear Mr. President,
Get our troops
the hell out of there.)
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Image from Wikimedia Commons, open license, by Gideon Tsang.
For The Sunday Whirl, where words can be found HERE. Also at my two poetic homes (yes, it’s true, I’m bi-site-ual), Poets United and Imaginary Garden With Real Toads and saving for dverse Open Mic night!
Not much more to say about this, except that IEDs are designed to kill Americans – and if North Korea had oil underground, we’d already have waged another war on them under George W. Bush (may his reign rest in pieces).
Peace. I really mean it. Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
McGuffy Ann
Peace.
brenda w
Drones turn war into a game. Reagan said something like the video players of today are the fighter pilots of tomorrow. Or the drone controllers. sigh.
Peace. Yes.
I HAVE A VOICE
It’s lost purpose in this administration
kaykuala
War and the new ‘war games’ can never see a finality. One only feels it when one is in the war zone and suffer untold difficulties and miseries. For many others in other regions life goes on! It’s a real pity! Anti-War activists are a rare breed. Keep the good flag flying, Amy!
Hank
mindlovemisery
Wow powerful, powerful poem breaks your heart, stabs you in the guts and twists the bowels.
Susan
Well done! Beautiful, even. And the message is perfect.
kislayagopal
Loved the way you have used bro-ken, that was very touching!
You have raisd a valid issue, and these are killings without reason, leaving behind shattered lives!
You have nicely put it in words!!
oldegg
Glad you duplicated my feelings on the prompt words. They were certainly ripe for you.
brian miller
the aftermath is brutal, the collateral damage…the image of the mom calling for the baby out of the smoking ruins of the school…ugh, its like one of those pictures that will stick with you….and the drones, desensitize as well as our video games….
Josie Two Shoes
Yes, PEACE! Amen! Every man or woman injured or killed in this insanity is some mother’s child, there are winning sides or loosing sides when it comes to the loss of a child. All mothers weep the same tears.
Sherry Blue Sky
That drones even EXIST totally freaks me out. Bombing folks can only increase their anger and wish for retaliation. When will govt understand we cannot build peace with war? Great write, Amy.
Nanka
Loved this Amy!! The little message makes so much sense!! The mother’s calling is heart wrenching!! The common person suffers in this political tussle!!
Talon
I had the most overwhelming sense of relief I’d ever experienced, when my oldest son safely completed his seven month tour of duty in Afghanistan. His job was to drive the generals and high ranked officers and officials from base to base. Yeah, I spent seven months with my heart in my mouth so this really struck a chord…
Kim Nelson
You can always hit a nerve, Amy. I would like to read your poems alongside the political cartoons in the Op-Ed section of the New York Times. Or on HuffPo! You are brilliant.
Jim
Nice peace plea, Amy. Russia could not conquer the Taliban and it seems that
neither can the U.S, the U.N, and the NATO joining forces. If wishes could
come true I’d wish for a Taliban killer poison or pill. Where is our “David” when
Goliath is ruling? The ones really hurting are the women. It is Hell for them
behind the burkas.
..
J Cosmo Newbery
Powerfully said, Amy. If only the right (or do I mean wrong?) people would read your poem. Peace.
aka_andrea
Crowd chants a renewed vow
of vengeance, fists in air.
This might be the scariest part.
wolfsrosebud
do like the moon reference… so much we don’t think about as we move through out day
janehewey
peace peace peace.
heart-aching, powerful piece.
kelly
Yes, the ever-elusive peace. Mankind is forever finding reasons to be at war. Let’s keep calling for peace.
Pamela
Oh, Amelita, peace is not within our reach. I am disgusted with the whole scene. Thanks for writing these powerful words.
Saludos,
Pamelita.
hypercryptical
Well said Amy. Peace.
Anna :o]
Candy Morrow
I remember all the war books I’ve read, movies I’ve watched..and it all comes down to one thing, human life seems to be collateral damage. Its brutal but so real.
Snakypoet (Rosemary Nissen-Wade)
I think you nailed that one, my friend! For me, the most shocking line was ‘two minutes ago’.
LaTonya
poignant.