A small milestone for me.

I submitted five entries a while back for a school publishing of poetry. I just received the letter in the mail today telling that one was accepted. It is a nice feeling, to know that my work is going to be shared and felt by many. It is a controversial piece and has been posted here before but reads as follows:

Operation Obliteration
25November2003 4:37pm

You say you want a war-
But do you understand,
What can really happen,
If we don’t go hand in hand?

As people we’re divided,
Against the greater cause.
Who’s to say what’s right or wrong,
When relying upon God’s laws?

We don’t always take the time,
To see what’s really there;
The results are catastrophic.
The outcome never fair.

There’s just so much destruction,
The endless cries in pain.
How can you call this humanitarian?
Is this worth what will be gained?

I don’t know if I can really comment,
For the place I live is free.
But if I was somewhere different,
Would I want the US to let me be?

This is pretty self-explanatory. While I support the war I do believe that we should have taken the time to talk a bit more to the people whose lives we are affecting. We should have taken the time to put ourselves in their shoes first before just jumping into something so life-altering. This didn’t only affect the lives of those we thought we were helping but also the soldiers and their families who were left behind; not to mention the everyday taxpayer. Will this be all worth it in the end? I sure hope so for the sake of the people and freedom.