WAR Poem: It’s Criminal To Be Human In War, by Mirabella Beale

If I join arms, am I a criminal?
I stand with those who fight for dreams,
for what they believe is right.

My mother’s tears fall as I leave her side.
With trembling hands, my father whispers, ‘Live on.’
My country wishes for my victory;
I wish to see a new dawn, to see my parents once more

If I fight for my family, am I a soldier?
I belong to no one but my own—
My ancestral home.
I am not a pawn, as many see me;
I fight for my people, not the regime.

If I lift my brother up when he is down, am I cruel?
My brothers in arms,
who stood with me when the grenade flew,
when we crawled through the trenches,
praying to all the Gods we knew,
when we cried and bided our time,
waiting for this godforsaken war to end.

Author: poetryfest

Submit your Poetry to the Festival. Three Options: 1) To post. 2) To have performed by an actor 3) To be made into a film. View all posts by poetryfest