Another War, Another Line (The Self-Proclaimed Law)

Deadlines for Writers. 12 Poems in 12 Months – July– Prompt: Song

I ’m afraid I have cheated somewhat this month, but I thought the story fitted the prompt so well. This was a poem, called Another War, Another Line I wrote way back in 2015 immediately after the UK Parliament voted to start yet another bombing campaign in the Middle East (coupled with David Cameron ’s infamous ‘swarm of migrants ’comment). Syria I think it was that time. There have been so many …

It was then taken about a year later, worked around a bit, and turned into a song called The Self Proclaimed Law, which can be listened to on YouTube below.

Another War, Another Line

So another war, another line.
It may be in your name – it’s not in mine.
But the boys at the end of the ballistic strike
Do not worry or care if it’s wrong or right.
For the death still flows from the same direction,
From West to East, and then back through deflection
Of lies and laws and bitter devotion,
Bastardised votes and corrupted emotion.

The same old tale since Picot and Sykes,
Drew their lines in the sand, and defended the rights
Of the Empire, Republic, the King and the Tsar,
To orchestrate borders and lord from afar.
Crusading, campaigning, it’s all just a game,
And those who oppose it are clearly insane,
As there’s always collateral damage in war –
But it’s never the sons of the self-proclaimed law.

So although it’s in your name, and not in mine,
It’s my son who’s taking the shots for your line,
My daughter who lies staring blank, bleeding out,
While the boys of the strike just keep preaching about
How their children were killed by the westerner’s knives,
An eye for an eye, their souls for our lives –
And the bitterness grows. And will never subside.
The sickening price of the warmonger’s pride
Keeps on growing and growing, but never so great
That the profiteers’ pockets collapse with the weight
Of a million lost souls, and a million lost homes,
And a million strong swarm with nowhere to go.
So another war, and another line,
And so it continues.
For your sons and mine.