In Remembrance of No One

I wrote In Remembrance of No One during my Sophomore year of college. I was in a British Literature class with an amazing teacher who allowed me to utilize poetry for the assigned essays and other assigments. This is an anti-war poem that I wrote in response to the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. This was one of the first poems that I spent several days working on and even allowed assistance. (thanks mom!) It even follows a 12-beat parmater through out the entire piece - which is not something I usually take the time to do. Needless to say...I got an A. :)

Alone in a land we are forced to call our own
Tempted to run from the pain that reaches the bone
Fighting a screaming silence in a crowded field
But freedom, self-worth and love forces us to yield

We wait for the cries of Victory! and Success!
The final outcome a soldier will never guess
They say we are seeking peace for all who live here
But blood shed and lives lost is only raising fear

I’m tempted to throw up my white flag and march out –
To completely forget what fighting is about.
This gross excuse for peace is breaking me apart
But somewhere deep within, victory tugs my heart

Bullets fire and no one knows where they will end –
In the heart of darkness or in the heart of friend?
Red blood is shed in remembrance of no one
But bodies are given unto the sky and Son

Alleluia and blessed be the ones who fought
They stayed strong with their pride, but was it all for naught?
Some were scared; others were brave; all with thoughts to leave;
But men are strong as stone and not allowed to grieve

So we march on to an enemy with no face
Keeping rhythm with the breaths of life, love and grace
If we win we are God’s, if we lose we are shown -
Alone in a land we are forced to call our own.