Did We Really Win The War

What now the war is won?
By Brian Kelly
Did we really win and what the price?
Was it worth the horror and the sacrifice?
Whose mothers child is never to return?
Orphaned children, wives who widowhood must learn.

Did anyone ask this war should ever start?
E’er planes did load and soldiers did depart.
If politicians place is to talk and to deliberate,
wars need not be, if they used skilled debate.

But ideals in this world are not to be,
No matter how well promoted by a holy see,
Politicians’ stand o’er hero’s grave and show false tearful sorrow,
They, not besmirched by war, the hero is forgotten by the morrow.

When violent war does encroach on your countryside,
Known life is spoiled, civil law and order all are dis-allied.
Peaceful existence, home comforts gone, and happiness defiled,
Because false politicians could not talk, but only wildly riled.

War reporter comes and knocks upon your door.
“Can you tell me what it’s like, what you did, what you saw?”
‘I saw my daughter’s haunted face, as shrapnel took her life away.
Four years old, she did not know her leg was gone, as in my arms she lay!’

"Oh yes we won, a hollow victory, but did we have to fight?
Was it a victory, for me now to sleep alone through the lonely night.
I did not see the horror when my husband had to die
But what I feel, will my aching heart ever cease to cry."

And what of those who lost? God’s hallowed people just like we.
Their sorrow must be same! To our selfsame God they made their plea.
Their young men called to arms. “Reject the plough, enjoy the warring game!”
Politicians all, o’er all the world, should think, then hang their heads in shame!

ã Brian Kelly 21st. January 2005