Omar Bainto

FROM FLANDERS FIELDS TO AFGHAN FIELDS
(Where Poppies Grow)

From Flanders Fields to Afghan fields, where poppies grow
From hands to hands, the torch was passed, still burning
From one foe to another, we took our quarrels, we did go
From those days to this date, our soldiers, still are dying

What went wrong, we ask, why the fight keeps on going?
World War 1 was fought, with victory, we were assured
Wars would cease, peace was promised, we’re still waiting
When would it end, our soldiers are tired, isn’t it absurd?

Perhaps, the promise was political, it meant nothing at all
Promised us peace, just for the moment, didn’t last long
Political ideas differ, with pride, want theirs to stand tall
Proud of their own, to them, they want others to belong

Perhaps, the promise was religious, it meant nothing at all
Promised us peace, just for the moment, didn’t last long
Religious ideas differ, with pride, want theirs to stand tall
Proud of their own, to them, they want others to belong

Perhaps, the promise was racial, it meant nothing at all
Promised us peace, just for the moment, didn’t last long
Racial ideas differ, with pride, want theirs to stand tall
Proud of their own, want others out, who don’t belong

Perhaps, the promise was patriotic, it meant nothing at all
Promised us peace, just for the moment, didn’t last long
Patriotic ideas differ, with pride, want theirs to stand tall
Proud of their own, want others out, who don’t belong

We’re all different, in every aspect, we’re not the same
What can we do, to stop this nonsense, let us all think
When can we stop, how do we cease, playing this game
Whereas, at peace, can give each other a friendly wink

When can we, our dreams fulfill, in cadence marching on
With no wars to fight, no chaos to fix, just peace to face
Wishful thinking, a soldier’s vision, we keep dreaming on
Wear our uniforms, solely for ceremonies, do it with ease

We’ll figure out; on how to solve the problem, for peace
We can’t make everyone, be all alike, it’s just impossible
We can live together, however, in harmony and peace
With the principle of peaceful co-existence, it’s possible

From Flanders Fields to Afghan fields, where poppies grow
From hands to hands, the torch was passed, still burning
From one foe to another, we took our quarrels, we did go
From here on, let’s join hands; we need to stop the fighting!

©Copyright October 6, 2008 by Omar Bainto