Rate:5.0 / 1 vote

Common Carnage

Jeffrey Powell 1979 (Pittsburgh, PA)

October 22 
Free verse
Biting-Tearing-Scathing
this is not somewhere inviting.
Eviscerating skin and nerves-
effacing and obliterating
sensation;
swift removal of lands and tribes
brings devastation.
No reasoning or rationale,
the freshly arrived just have to go.
Erasing back to barren states;
defacing the
responsive and vibrant.
The unblemished are sunk in despondence.

About this poem

It is probably true that warfare and aggression are written into the human genetic code. Originally intended to describe an individual's personal struggles, this piece quickly expanded to encompass any loss of life through violent acts. Whether from combat, corruption, or clear-cut chaos the tragic ripple effect from man's brutality is unnerving.

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Written on November 20, 2019

Submitted by JokerGem on October 10, 2022

Modified by JokerGem on November 08, 2022

17 sec read
60

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABACDCEFGHIB
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 352
Words 58
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 13
Full analysis for Common Carnage »

Jeffrey Powell

A bit of an introvert, Jeffrey enjoys using words and poetry as an outlet for expressing his thoughts and feelings. He tends to play by his own rules and darts in and out of the civilized world, as avoiding the conventional gathering is more his style. Jeffrey lives with his fraternal twin whom he enjoys sharing a laugh with at the opportune time. more…

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1 Comment
  • Vixility
    Vixility
    In the context of your "about this poem" section, wow! I study warfare and its history with the human race and am always astonished that we can achieve an apathy (that 'effacing and obliterating sensation' you mention) that can allow us to kill thousands and thousands of women and children ... shutters my skin to imagine it. Like you said: unnerving. Thanks for sharing this work ... 
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • JokerGem
      JokerGem
      You are quite welcome, and thanks so much for your shared insight and rating. I had a feeling this one would not escape your attention as, this subject is....just so unfathomable.
      LikeReply 11 year ago

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"Common Carnage" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/142581/common-carnage>.

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