Clouds of war, envelope life
Humanity’s endless strife
Fog of war, shrouding landscape
Breathing despair, no escape
Darkness of war, days collapse
Lost in night’s maze, without maps
Scars of war, covering earth
Global peace missing its berth
Children of war, empty hope
Tender hands without faith’s rope
Wounds of war, shall never heal
Hope travels on broken wheels
Horrors of war, drained faces
Exhausted lives, gloom races
Refugees of war, wonder
Dreams, hopes, and lives plowed under
Terror of war, raging on
Tomorrow’s forgotten dawn
Faces of war, children grieve
Life robbed by battlefield’s thieves
Future of war, never ends
Talks of peace, no dividends
Hopelessness of war, cries out
When will blossoms of peace sprout?
Big Sky Buckeye 
Sad! Can’t click like, even though I like your poem’s structure and thoughtfulness. The subject makes me sad… and the answer to your question is “Only God knows!”
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Jan, I appreciate your words. I seldom write about dark themes, but this one has been speaking to me. I agree that only God can honestly answer the question.
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I understand, {{{Richard}}}… sometimes we can’t (and shouldn’t) ignore those darker themes that nag at us. Only by dealing with them can we move beyond them.
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Powerfully moving. People oftentimes don’t get it. The Fog of War is very real. There is a cost to all the fighting we do, both literally and figuratively. Out of the darkest hour of the night, a new dawn takes flight. Thank you for sharing!
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Dr. Tom, thanks for reading and sharing your own affirmation. I don’t often write about darker themes, but this one has been speaking to me for some time.
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You really capture the tragedy, pathos and hopelessness of war here. A wonderful poem.
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Thanks so much for reading and sharing. This theme has been talking to me for some time.
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Very strong words in this time of uncertainty. The only one we can rely on is our holy God!
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I agree Kathy. Issues like this need to be lifted up in prayer.
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Richard, you’ve captured the sadness in words we can all understand. These poor children and adults caught in the rage. God help them. ❤️🙏🏻
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Karla, as educators, we have more empathy, than the average person, for children and the downtrodden.
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It’s true, Richard. I’m an empath to the utmost degree!
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let’s hope that someday there is a final verse to your wonderful poem that starts with “End od war”
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Well said Jim! I seldom write with dark themes, but this one has been working on me.
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war – what is it good for. absolutely nothing…
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Indeed, a powerful poem about the effects of war. Thanks for sharing this poem. 🙏🏻
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Thanks Susan for reading and sharing. I don’t often write darker poetry, but current events moved me to craft this one.
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When I was in Iraq the kids always got my heart
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I can imagine this. The innocence of children speaks to our hearts
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💚💚💚😩
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