TheBanyanTree: NOT THIS WAR

[Sharon Mack]

Journal Prompt 

Thursday July 15, 2004

Notes:
Write a poem inspired by a political event.

NOT THIS WAR


Not THIS war, my brother said
NOT this war, as he packed his bags
With a ticket in his hand
To go to Canada
On the train.

Looking as though his son had died
I watched my father turn away
And wipe the tears from his eyes.

I knew he was remembering another time
Remembering another war
He, too, had held a ticket in his hand
To go to camp
On the train.

Looking as though his son had died
His father turned away and wiped his eyes
And said to his son,
NOT this war
Not THIS war

He was remembering another time
Remembering another war
For he, too, had held a ticket in his hand
To go to camp
On the train.

And now I see my son pack up
And I say to him, NOT this war, my son
Not THIS war
And he holds the ticket in his hand
And walks the ramp
To his plane

I feel as though my heart has died
I turn away and wipe the tears from my eyes.