For the youth

[mudshark]

Faced by your enemies
on every hand
battle is menacing,
now make your stand

fearful your question,
defenceless, open
what shall I fight with?
what is my weapon?

Here is your battle plan,
here is your shield
faith in this life of ours,
the common weal

for all our children’s sake,
save it, defend it,
pay any price you must,
they shall not end it

neat stacks of cannon shells,
row upon row
death to the life you love,
all that you know

War is contempt for life,
Peace is creation
Death’s march is halted
by determination

we all deserve the world,
harvest and seed
hunger and poverty
are born of greed

don’t turn your face away
from needs of others
reach out a helping hand
to all your brothers

here is our solemn vow,
from land to land
we will protect our world
from tyrants’ hand

defend the beautiful
gentle and innocent
like any mother would
care for her infant


Nordahl Grieg

[dadio]

Serious poem, well put.

[mudshark]

thanx dadio. It sounds better in Norweigian.

[sooZen]

I think it sounds just fine in English. Well done and true...

[saw]

a timely poem given the tragedy in Oslo the other day.....time to be strong and counsel the grieving ......I have friends in Oslo, I was there two years ago....a scenario I couldn't have imagined has unfolded......I guess madmen are everywhere, but still.........just hard to fathom.... such a beautiful, peaceful place

[Arcadia]

bravo, mudshark!