Why We Fight

[rusty quoin]

My 16 y/o son had an English assignment to write a poem in the style of Walt Whitman. He gave me permission to post it.

Tell me brother, why we fight?
Do the wolves fight over who gets the most meat,
Or who leads the pack?
And why do we wage war?
For justice? Brother, I tell you truly
Justice is a tree that gives us shade
From a harsh sun—a harsh life;
Justice is not a crude tool of iron.
It cannot be forged in hatred’s flame,
Or it burns.
Why brother, must we argue?
Let us put aside our opinions,
For no opinion carries the worth of human life.
Brother, we should be like unto the wolf.
Brother, WE are pack.

[rusty quoin]

1. I found out you cannot recommend your own post.

That's the first time I tried, honestly.

[Hekate]

2. Then let me recommend it for you. Tell your son I hope he continues to write. nt

edited for typo
sigh

[rusty quoin]

3. Thanks.

[whoneedstickets]

4. Yeah, wolves DO fight over who gets the most meat!

They are pack animals with a strict dominance hierarchy the Alpha male and female eat first, they are the only wolves allowed to reproduce and battles over dominance are settled violently. Challenging males and females can be driven from the pack.

[Mythsaje]

5. I really, really like that.

In fact, I like it so well I'd like to use it in one of my future novels, if I could get permission to do so.

[rusty quoin]

7. I will ask him.

[Mythsaje]

9. Thank You

I appreciate that.

[SeattleGirl]

6. Well done!

Your son has a gift.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear rusty quoin!

Wow!

At 16, your son has already shown exceptional talent...

Encourage him to continue writing!

Absolutely amazing, and so damn true as well...

K&R

:applause: :applause: :applause:

:patriot:

[AverageJoe]

10. Please encourage your son to keep writing

and to buy a copy of the current Poet's Market. He should submit his work to literary magazines. Please trust me. I know what I'm talking about.

[Breeze54]

11. K & R'd for you and your son and his poem.

Well done!

You have a smart one there!

[redwitch]

12. beautiful.

16? Wow!

[applegrove]

13. Wow. That kid has talent. Love the visual imagery.

[Duppers]

14. just beautiful

You're a rightfully proud dad.

That is worthy of publication, but should be tweaked a tad, as someone posted up stream pointed out that wolves do indeed fight for pack leadership--otherwise, this is a most beautiful and poignant poem.

Congrats for raising such a fine, sensitive, intelligent young man.

Powerful words: "For no opinion carries the worth of human life."