PATRIOTISM--award winner

PATRIOTISM


I joined the army, full of
Patriotic feelings:
‘If need be, by shedding blood
I must win my innings’.

I have truly shed my blood,
And, now, my uniform.
Let me reflect how, in fact,
In war I did perform.

As I look back I regret
That I bombed those mud huts,
Flying o'er Afghanistan
And Iraq, firing Scuds.

As a veteran of wars,
I have my share of doubt.
Is it patriotic to
Keep shut or, now, speak out?


• Written in abcb, 7-6-7-6 format. Initially written as entry 409222 in the book "WAR POETRY--award winner" . Posted as the present item on 13 September 2008.


• Awarded third prize in the Support Our Troops Poetry Contest, "Invalid Item" , hosted by stacylynn71.



M C Gupta
26 February 2006