Attribution:National Nuclear Security Admin
Image: A Pilotless QF-80 jet fighter
of the 3205th Drone Group (here)
That war is a game
to outwit the enemy at minimal costs
Soldiers are just playthings
Drone warfare cuts through
Causing havoc behind enemy
lines. Troops then advance
for the finishing touch
Isn't it fun for the Generals?
Any loss of civilian lives
Dismissed as collateral damage
Without as much as a tinge of guilt!
(55 words)
Kerry's Flash 55 at Real Toads
Mary's at PU's Poetry Pantry #309
This made me think of high ranking commanders standing around a table pushing models of airplanes and submarines - not thinking of the men (and women) who are in those little models playing out what is far from a game - nicely written Hank!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I hear about the civilians dying because of war, my heart bleeds. War is indeed a game, but not meant to be played. Thanks for the read, Hank.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the sad truth about war...
ReplyDeleteSombre subject; nice writing.
ReplyDeleteSad and poignant truth about war claiming precious lives.
ReplyDeleteIndeed drones have not always accomplished what they have intended!
ReplyDeleteI think Sanaa expressed what I wanted to, exactly what I wanted to say as well :( Loved the poem, though not the sadness as much.
ReplyDeleteYou know what they say,no one's really wins in a war
ReplyDeleteUgh.
ReplyDeletethis is organized butchery of lives...well said Hank...
ReplyDeleteHmm I think not. War is no game. Its the saddest of events in the life of humanity itself
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Sunday Hank
Much love...
I abhor any warfare, but drone warfare seems especially brutal and conscience-less to me. Well said, Hank.
ReplyDeleteWell said...war has become a game that so many play in such a cavalier manner on their TVs and electronic devices without a single thought of the reality that is happening around the world.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that the collateral damage keeps at least a few Generals up at night.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about WW2 today. And so were you!
ReplyDeleteYou never stop, good for you Sir Hank!
Will there ever be peace in the world? Always a conflict somewhere. Wonderful write.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Collet rea damage is a euphemism for murder many times... It takes a heart of stone to no loose sleep over that
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't really matter if they are civillian or not, people die. That is one of the major things wrong with war.
ReplyDeleteYep, sad truth indeed. And the generals get a medal for it too.
ReplyDeleteI wish they needed less of that costly fun! Well captured, indeed.
ReplyDeleteThey of course would respond "But it is all being done for your good and that of our nation". Sadly we should look in a mirror and see the puppet's string coming out our backs.
ReplyDeleteNicely said, Hank. Games are meant to be fun. To me the only fun 'war games' would be training or practice drills.
ReplyDelete..
I got to wondering whether or not, or what percentage of those remote QF-80 jet fighter return after their mission. Googling might help here.
ReplyDelete..
True and well written. On the other hand what do you do with an enemy that will kill the civilian that they use as a temporary shield? Yes, war has always been a game and so far we haven't learned to leave well enough alone for things to get better! The world is crying.
ReplyDeleteZQ