Image – author’s own
It descends suddenly, the veil of darkness,
is it not the same for you?
my vitriol rises, my bile erupts, a
conviction of your subhuman, less-than status
that ignites my thirst —
killing overwhelms me, irresistibly.
under the circumstances, I must be excused (I will not beg),
the nature of the beast wears a
cloak spattered with guts and hatred
of which I have become overly fond —
war has dehumanised and mechanised me
is it not the same for you?
nothing is beneath me anymore
but the bones and viscera on which I tread.
an empty shell am I,
act kindly and I will carve a knife-smile in your face,
of course, before I bestow
murder upon you.
This poem was inspired by the Albert Einstein quote below, each word of which begins each line above.
“It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder.”
It was written in response to much that I have learned about the world since I watched “The World at War” with my parents when I was growing up. This 26 episode British TV series, narrated by Laurence Olivier, chronicles the Second World War and is widely acclaimed — the series focuses on how life and death throughout the war years affected members of the armed forces, civilians, concentration camp inmates and other victims of the war. Images from this series have never left me, all these year later.
*******
Tonight is Open Link Night over on dVerse, hosted by the lovely Grace. Tonight there is no theme for us to follow, just write a poem on whatever subject suits our fancy, and submit it for others to read.
There is always something to learn and discover, so why not hop on over to the Open Link Night and read the wonderful poetry that is on offer? Or, if you’re feeling daring, why not take part yourself?
Happy reading!
Freya Writes... 
Still we do have to go to war sometimes as the lesser of two evil. So maybe calling it murder only put the guilt on the soldier instead of putting the blame on those who started it.
I was thinking that Einstein was referring to the killing that takes place whilst war is raging, but not committed by soldiers, since as long as the rules of war are met, soldiers cannot be considered murderers in a war context. (my partner is ex-military and has lost friends in war situations – I completely accept and agree that soldiers are not murderers). There have always been crimes (not just killing) committed whilst war is raging, because it is a useful way to hide such crimes amidst the fog of war, when such crimes are nothing to do with the objectives of the war itself.
Freya, this is a brilliant indictment of war.
War is sometimes necessary, but I think it is often used to cover up other crimes that are committed using the fog of war as an excuse.
100% agree.
“war has dehumanised and mechanised me
is it not the same for you?” – these two lines especially, they hit hard, whether you are asked this, asked yourself to someone else or yourself in your own mind.
Thank you.
Love what you did here Freya, very cool my friend! 🙂✌🏼🫶🏼
Thank you so much!
wow! so powerful! ❤ I ❤ it!
Thank you Carole Anne!
No wonder war is the great devourer. Excellent way to flesh out the Einstein quote.
Thank you so much.
Freya this theme is heavy and dark. I see no easy solution to the end of wars. And my sympathy goes to all the victims that suffer because of it. Thanks for joining us. And its good to read you again.
Thank you Grace. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come to an alternative solution? Some wars are necessary – World War II for example – whilst some are not – World War I. Soldiers have no choice but to do their job and they then too become victims, both mentally and physically.
Freya, it is wonderful to read you again! ❤️❤️ This is such a poignant and timely write, the theme weighs heavily on my heart .. will everything that is happening around the world these days. I am especially moved by; “war has dehumanised and mechanised me/is it not the same for you?” Sigh …
Thank you Sanaa! Yes, it’s a heavy, heavy subject and I don’t think there is a ‘right’ answer. I just felt I needed to write about it.
Cleverly done and to have written in such a strong, dark evocative way at the same time keeping the theme…quite brilliant.
Thank you so much.
“act kindly and I will carve a knife-smile in your face,”
Strong language. You did a splendid job weaving in the line. Albert Einstein is wonderful.
Thank you so much Melissa.
I like how you used the saying as an acrostic and kept the meaning to
Thank you Laura.
Inspired use of Einstein’s quote, Freya, and every line of your poem a brutally vivid illustration of how war can transform ordinary humanity to inhumanity.
Thank you so much
Such a powerful, unrelenting statement, so cleverly done
Thank you so much!
Such a hard-hitting poem Freya, there is no excuse for countries or groups to break international law…
Thank you.
This is like a golden shovel with the words at the beginning of each line instead of at the end. Very powerful. The dehumanizing of groups is definitely a part of war (and of authoritarian regimes) that makes all sorts of atrocities possible.
Thank you so much for reading my poem – I’m glad that it made you think and feel loved to respond.
You’re welcome!