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Pains of War


Tell me of pain

The journalist asked

I thought

and then I replied

What kind of pain?

Is it that which is seen?

Or is it the pain from inside?



There’s pain that is felt

In limbs that are gone

And also from flesh wounds and sores

But also the pain we feel in our head

When thinking of sights in the wars



There’s pain that we feel

When we see a mate fall

And know they will never arise

And pain as we tell

The ones that were loved

How it happened in front of our eyes



There’s pain that is felt

On waving goodbye

When duty once more makes its call

And loved ones must wait until we return

And pray that we make each roll call



There’s pain that is felt

By those left behind

As hot tears their eyes and cheeks burn

Knowing full well that in life’s cruel fate

It may be you never return



And then there’s the pain

When coming back home

To find that very few care

‘bout the problems we meet

In today’s civvy street

When trying to settle back there



So please jot it down

In your notebook, my friend

There’s many a story to tell

But there’s not much to gain

When you tell of our pain

For people just don’t seem to care

April 2010

Robert John Ponting
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