Monday, November 11, 2013

On Veteran's Day


This is a photo of my grandfather Ben - a young man heading off to war. After World War II, Ben became an alcoholic, prone to fits of rage and violence that destroyed his family. Ben had always wanted to be a writer, but his life turned out very differently. Sometimes I think it's part of my inheritance that I pick up the loose threads and carry on -  maybe that's why I feel compelled to write.

Here is a poem Ben wrote in his later years:

ON LITTLE BOYS

When he's small and he's sad, and he wants to cry,
He's told, "Stop! You mustn't do it!"
And whenever he asks for reasons why,
"You're a boy! That's all there is to it!"

So he hides it inside him where no one can see,
Cries in secret whenever he can,
For his parents have shouted, "Don't you dare shame me!"
"Stand up! Don't be soft! Be a man!"

Then he's told to follow that horrible star
Brutish God of gross barbarism
"Take up your weapons and be off to war!"
For scheming and false patriotism.

Those frightened young boys who march away
To send other young boys to their grave,
Who go off to kill or be killed in the fray,
For they're boys and must always be brave

Will justify their meaningless death
to themselves by being so brave,
As they senselessly die, give up their last breath,
the most precious of gifts that God gave.

3 comments:

  1. Oh my, Hollye…..that gave me the chills….wow. Bless his heart. He certainly had a way with words…..so beautifully written. He'd be so proud of you for carrying on his legacy, in so many ways. Is this published anywhere? It should be……oxoxoxo

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  2. That is heartbreaking. And it applies to thousands of men, young and old who've been given the wrong definition of "men".

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  3. No surprise, this brings tears to my eyes. The things we do to our young boys in the name of being a man are infintely brutal in the end. My heart breaks for young Ben who had to hide his emotions, and to the older Ben who's rage at the years of emotional suppression, destroyed those he loved. RIP Ben

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I love hearing your point of view- thank you for taking the time to comment and be part of the conversation!
love,
Hollye