Home

Sensible warfare

by Allan Haslinds

War smells like vinyl
and meals ready to eat.
The resin stock of a rifle,
and an oiled-down street.

War sounds like tank motors
and sergeants giving instruction.
The chop-chop-chop of rotors
and death in mass production.

War feels like sun-baked steel
and swigs from a warm canteen.
A too-hot to touch steering wheel
and a too-cold to sit latrine.

War looks like O.D. green
and canvas drawn with elastic.
The gear of us jarhead marines,
blued metal and black thermoplastic.

War tastes like gritty sand
and the salt of sweat and tear.
But only now do I understand,
Mostly, war tastes like fear.

04/09/2003

Posted on 04/09/2003
Copyright © 2024 Allan Haslinds

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Adrian Calhoun on 04/09/03 at 09:09 AM

Good piece. Very desciptive imagery. I disagree with the last line though. In training, fear is turned into a tool, an asset when faced and conquered.

Posted by Maryellen Lebeda-Parra on 04/13/03 at 08:52 PM

This is very good ... my first read of your work

Posted by Cathlyn Cartier on 04/14/03 at 06:42 PM

The imagery in this is wondeful, the format clear and precise, like a military formation. This is my first excursion into your library, I hope you post more for us soon.

Posted by Leonard M Hawkes on 04/17/03 at 04:13 AM

Powerful images, well arranged, well expressed!

Posted by Bruce W Niedt on 04/19/03 at 03:03 PM

"Sensible" indeed - you took us through all five of them - well-done, with vivid imagery and good form. i liked the message, too. Peace.... d:-)

Posted by Jeanne Marie Hoffman on 07/17/03 at 04:41 AM

Very clever title -- I like the inclusion of all of the senses

Posted by Carl Walker on 07/20/03 at 12:38 PM

sometimes, like hot sause in chili, war is a bitter/hot but necessary element in a recipie for freedom

Posted by Max Bouillet on 08/23/03 at 08:10 PM

Great visual impact and awesome details. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by Anne Engelen on 09/06/03 at 04:46 PM

catchy title! very enjoyable read:)

Return to the Previous Page
 

pathetic.org Version 7.3.2 May 2004 Terms and Conditions of Use 0 member(s) and 2 visitor(s) online
All works Copyright © 2024 their respective authors. Page Generated In 0 Second(s)