For What Have All These People Died? | Teen Ink

For What Have All These People Died?

August 3, 2011
By Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott


Napoleon, for what across Europe did you sweep?
For what reason did you make your opposition weep?
Why, Alexander, oh, the Great, did you go on, to conquer who was free?
Spilt blood of those who did not bow could fill a sea.
Wilhelm, on France you did encroach for lust of power.
How could you cause so many deaths in the battle hour?
To Hitler, I cry out, “Why did you hate? Why did you loathe? What did they do to you?”
Those who you weakened, those who you slew.
Khengis Han, why did you lead your men to plunder, to kill, to darken hearts with fear?
How could worthless riches be priced higher than lives of people dear?
Of genius all of you were great!
But it was of conquest and of hate!
Why, with simple life you were not satisfied?
Pain and sorrow , you brought, for what, tell me, have all these people died?


The author's comments:
This is one of first attempts at poetry. Tell me what you think, whether this is any good. Brutal honesty appreciated :)

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This article has 21 comments.


on Aug. 30 2011 at 8:52 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you very much.

on Aug. 29 2011 at 9:19 pm
Anonymous_7 SILVER, Branson, Missouri
6 articles 0 photos 118 comments

Favorite Quote:
-The only time you can get away with murder is when writing a book!

Wow! This is amazing, very creative, and it flows really well!

 


on Aug. 23 2011 at 9:52 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Haha, thank you!

on Aug. 22 2011 at 7:01 pm
Danealle SILVER, Wheeling, Illinois
7 articles 0 photos 119 comments

Favorite Quote:
Anything is possible with a smile and goal in mind.

Love this! I like how you actually try and make your poems flow unlike most teenagers who just close their eyes and put in line breaks. 

ambnyc SILVER said...
on Aug. 22 2011 at 2:09 pm
ambnyc SILVER, Rego Park, New York
6 articles 0 photos 133 comments

Favorite Quote:
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. - Dr. Seuss

True, they've got a lot of bloodshed in common. Nevertheless, it's a thought-provoking poem. The last line really ties it together.

on Aug. 22 2011 at 1:57 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you, I guess, though, you are right. Hitler was of a different sort... definitely much more evil, insane, etc. But all of them were the causes of such bloodshed, Hitler even more than the others.

ambnyc SILVER said...
on Aug. 22 2011 at 12:09 pm
ambnyc SILVER, Rego Park, New York
6 articles 0 photos 133 comments

Favorite Quote:
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. - Dr. Seuss

This is touching. I like the allusions to the real-life characters. The only thing is, I'm not sure if Hitler should be classed alongside Napoleon and Alexander the Great. But it was a wonderful poem!

on Aug. 15 2011 at 8:57 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you very much!

on Aug. 15 2011 at 8:55 am
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you, I'm really glad you do :)

on Aug. 14 2011 at 9:59 pm
WithPenAndScript DIAMOND, Venetia, Pennsylvania
72 articles 232 photos 251 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe that no matter who you are we all leave footprints on this Earth

Love it, I love teh allusions to the people and the rhyme. It really make syou think how so many died for some ruthless rulers. Beautiful :)

on Aug. 14 2011 at 5:21 pm
secrets_of_silence GOLD, Gisborne, Other
12 articles 0 photos 439 comments

Favorite Quote:
life had i loved the more
had it but passed away
as quietly as the day
ebbs from the darkening star.


-emanuel litvinoff

OMG I LOVE THIS

on Aug. 13 2011 at 5:39 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you very much!

on Aug. 13 2011 at 4:52 pm
Niarra_Nightmare SILVER, Popular Grove, Arkansas
8 articles 0 photos 24 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The time is here, the end is near,the lonliness I always fear presents itself and like a giant wave it crashes into me without warning. Washing me into the dark and lonely existence I always knew was coming."

Wow Blue4, Two words: Freakin' Beautiful. I've never seen poetry that blend into history so smoothly before. Five stars, Blue4

on Aug. 13 2011 at 12:10 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thanks again :D

on Aug. 13 2011 at 12:09 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you, thank you! I'm so glad you like it!

on Aug. 13 2011 at 11:51 am
Lola_Black GOLD, Harrison, Michigan
11 articles 2 photos 276 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I've always been famous. It's just everybody's just now finding out." --Lady Gaga

You want brutal honesty? Here it is: This poem freakin' rocks! It really doesn't matter how many poems you've written, as long as they're good. And this one is. By the way, I love how you mentioned worthless riches. Nice play on words!

on Aug. 13 2011 at 11:46 am
Tongue_Blep PLATINUM, ????, Ohio
40 articles 1 photo 769 comments
GASP! everyone should like ur poetry!!! its sooo freakin good!!!!!!!! :)(:

on Aug. 11 2011 at 8:54 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

it is so amazing to know that someone likes my poetry, even more so because this is my second or third poem I've written!

on Aug. 11 2011 at 5:56 pm
Tongue_Blep PLATINUM, ????, Ohio
40 articles 1 photo 769 comments
wow this was just plain moving. It was very very good. U are a very good poet and I cant wait for more! :)(:

on Aug. 8 2011 at 7:27 pm
Blue4indigo PLATINUM, Sturbridge, Connecticut
24 articles 0 photos 382 comments

Favorite Quote:
I'd rather be sorry for something that I did than for something I didn't do.
-Red Scott

Thank you so much!