A Commandment

by keith jeffries

Saturday 21st October 2023 10:35 pm

A Commandment

In these times of conflict

people are killed by the day.

Bullets and explosions

claim the lives of many.

Revenge is high on the agenda

for the reason to kill.

Mercy takes a back seat

as terror reigns.

I was once a soldier

many years ago.

I am now mature in years

and am a pacifist.

One of the ten commandments

says

"Thou shalt not kill".

Is there any part of this

that people do not understand?

The words and the message

are simple.

These words of scripture

resonate in my soul.

Comments

keith jeffries

Wed 1st Nov 2023 19:41

Thank you to all who read this poem and expresseed a like or wrote a comment. Peace has certain pre requisites. First justice, then peace negotiations and these should then be followed with reconciliation. Sadly nations rush headlong into war and see victory as their only goal. They do not think beyond this and all that is achieved is grief, resentment, destruction and the desire for revenge.
Keith

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Sun 22nd Oct 2023 20:06

Thanks Keith,
Eisenhower again: “We must not fail to comprehend its (the military-industrial complex’s) grave implications we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence…The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist." My brackets.

Israel Palestine /Russia Ukraine painfully come to mind.

M.C. Newberry

Sun 22nd Oct 2023 17:36

There's also a saying "If you want peace, prepare for war". Ironically,
war seems an undying part of the human condition and the
reasons never change. The only "positive" is that it can often
propel progress in various ways that might not have been seen
otherwise.

Stephen Gospage

Sun 22nd Oct 2023 17:10

Thank you, Keith. Pacifism is a challenging position and I admire you for it. People need to be up to the task of implementing 'Thou shalt not kill'.

Manish Singh Rajput

Sun 22nd Oct 2023 13:25

An evocative poem, Keith, adding your perspective and conclusion to it, based on your experience and knowledge just makes it even more authentic.
Thank you.

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A Commandment

Comments

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