PLEASE STEAL THIS POEM FOR YOUR EMAILS ---- NO JOKE!!!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

WHEN WILL OUR TROOPS GIVE US WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THIS WAR?
(an original poem by an unknown Vietnam Veteran)

If I could give them eyes to see - past profits from a war
Perhaps Iraq could then be free - to live, just like before
Perhaps they'd see it clear as day - by seeing their own child
blowing other peoples' kids away - in conflict, now gone wild

If I could give them ears to hear - the muffled cries at night
Perhaps they'd listen to the fear - of missiles taking flight
Perhaps they'd hear a mothers' cry - weeping for her son
who bought into a vicious lie - which truly serves no one

If I could give them hearts to feel - the sorrow and the pain
Perhaps they'd taste the blood of death - as missions go insane
Perhaps they'd feel their bones break - when hidden bombs explode
near a child who fights for freedoms' sake - along a dusty road

If I could give them minds to think - about the greater cost
Perhaps we only win at war - when we measure what we've lost
Perhaps they'd learn, to truly win - we simply end the game
that measures score in countless death - on walls too black to name

author__________?

[democrank]

1. Thanks, JG

Will do.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

2. thanks 4 a kick democrank...

I know, i wrote this and posted it at DU, a while back, so my long-term readers have seen the poem earlier but it's close to elections and we need ALL the ammo we can get on the most unifying topic in America, if we plan to win.

[zulchzulu]

3. I'd love to put that to music...

Maybe later... the author is unknown?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. my little yellow dog wrote it but she said put "unknown" in author...

so the idea would get more publicity... she says you can HAVE the lyrics at NO CHARGE! she was hoping someone would do something like that! would you like her to try thinking up a chorus?

[zulchzulu]

6. What a talented pooch!

I was thinking the chorus would be:

When will our troops give us what it takes to win this war?
When will our troops know when they should stop fighting anymore?
When will our troops give us what it takes to win this war?
When will we take the streets and tell our leaders “no more war!” “no more war!” “no more war!”

[Jeffersons Ghost]

8. DID WE DO THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY???

or did you see my offering first? here's a modification to your chorus, I REALLY liked the repetitious questions:

When will soldiers give enough to ever win a war?
When will leaders learn - to measure deaths not score?
When will people scream - like they never have before?
Take the streets and raise your fist! say “no more war!” “no more war!”

[Jeffersons Ghost]

5. how about this, Zulchzulu?...

NO SOLDIER SEEMS TO GIVE ENOUGH, TO EVER WIN A WAR
WHEN THEY GIVE UP ALL THAT MATTERS, WE ONLY ASK FOR MORE
WE'RE ALL JUST TAKERS IN A SENSE, WE MARVEL AT THE GORE
IF WE GIVE IN TO REALITY, LIFE BECOMES A BORE
MUST WE GIVE THE GAME UP, IF WE'RE JUST ABOUT TO SCORE

it's still a bit rough but let's toss the words around a bit and see what feels right to you ZZ.

[zulchzulu]

7. Coolio

I like it better than my attempt...maybe that would be the bridge

[Jeffersons Ghost]

9. a last attempt...

When will soldiers dying ever win a war?
When will leaders learn it's not a game-day score?
When will people scream like they never have before?
Take the streets:
Raise your fist!
say “no more war!”
“no more war!”

These are just some quick ideas but, as I said, do with them as you like you own these lyrics. I seek no fame or funds from this humble offering.