I am a WW II survivor from Holland who later moved to Canada and became a Canadian citizen.
Today the world remembers those who died in wars. Let us not forget the civilians. There are monuments to the soldiers but not to the general populace – the civilians who suffered and died in horrific conditions. Let us use this day to not only remember all but to say that all wars must end and peace must reign.
Please accept my thoughts as wars have never in history brought peace.
War
And he is standing there, rifle in hand, devastation everywhere
Was he a hero or is he a villain?
Across, strewn everywhere – bodies from women – old and young
Some are children – so young
too young to hold a rifle
too young to place a bomb
Oh, he is in rage, in pain, fearing not to see home
mother, father, wife and small son!
The pain is unbearable – the yearning for home
This bloody, senseless war
Will he make it? – Will he make it home?
Longing, longing for peace
He wants to be home
Bang, bang – a shot rings out
No, he knows he will not make it home
Dying, he lays and whispers
bloody war – we needed to stay at home
Oh soul, you gentle soul
When born knew not of war
the man – the killers
the men of greed have need to make war
Call on all spirit soldiers and stop all wars
Spare the children.
- H.H. Alexandra H.