Tags
Australian traditional poetry, Dennis N. O'Brien, Drone, hellfire missile, poem, poetry, predator drone
The shrouded travelers cross the desert sand
As other eyes watch from a distant land.
She knows among these tribesmen walk the foe,
But which are they? And can the watcher know?
As one they raise their eyes towards the sky;
A speck of dust, it drones far off and high,
Just like a bird but somehow not the same,
Then from it comes a flash, a spurt of flame.
The predator has marked its target well
And from its maw it spits the fires of hell.
The guilty and the innocent alike
Have but an instant left before the strike.
And at her console continents away
She rises from her task at end of day
And to her home along the highway drives:
The soldier who from safety takes men’s lives.
She runs a bath and there reclines to soak;
Tries to forget the carnage and the smoke.
The action carried out with good intent,
But doubts of what’s been done will not relent.
The button pressed, the missile gone – too late!
Once it is launched it can’t discriminate.
Good one! And it addresses the problem well. There’s a lot of collateral damage in war and the drone, by nature of the beast, will add to it if any innocent at all is in the wrong place.
Thanks Bard. Yes I’m not making any judgements here. But as an ex soldier myself I can’t help noticing how clinical and detached certain aspects of war are becoming and perhaps the drone operations in Afghanistan are a good example. That’s why I made the “soldier” a female – after all they can operate a mouse as well as any man. Technology will continue to advance and eventually I think most war will be waged this way – at least by those who can afford it.
Dennis, this is extremely well-done. I think you know I am not against war. It is often unavoidable and sometimes absolutely necessary. However, I am touched by how well you have caught the truth that we as a human race have so de-humanized ourselves and our treatment of our fellow human beings. Your imagery and psychological analysis have quite an impact here. Very good work.
Thanks Sandra.
Gone are the days when men looked into the eyes of men whom they fought and killed. Now, cowards hit buttons…I reckon. But then, what do I know about warfare…
It’s getting that way Eric – good to see you back. I’m away a bit myself these days.