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| Copyright Russell Gayer |
They call it the line of actual control, the bland term
disguising the partition of nations and people.
A largely uninhabited area it remains a harsh and unforgiving landscape.
Yet countries go to war over it and words like nationalism
and patriotism are bandied about.
Uttered mostly by experts sitting in comfortable surroundings.
He came back in a body bag.
Not entirely whole, only the parts of him that were recovered after the
land mine blew him to smithereens. This
was to have been his last tour to the border areas. Another victim of a conflict that never ends.
***
Word Count : 100.
It's 2019 folks and the start of a new season of Friday Fictioneer. I hope all of you have had a great start to the new year.
Starting the year on a slightly sombre note. Unfortunately I did know someone who came back in a body bag over 21 years ago. That conflict still drags on and the armchair warriors grow more strident each year. Maybe this is the year when we usher peace in to the troubled regions of the world.
Once again wishing everyone a very happy new year and to read the first words for this year, click here.
Starting the year on a slightly sombre note. Unfortunately I did know someone who came back in a body bag over 21 years ago. That conflict still drags on and the armchair warriors grow more strident each year. Maybe this is the year when we usher peace in to the troubled regions of the world.
Once again wishing everyone a very happy new year and to read the first words for this year, click here.
There are some things worth fighting for. But many of the things we fight for are not worth the sacrifice of young lives and devastated settlements. Well captured here
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I totally agree, thanks for your comments Neil.
DeleteI fear some of these festering conflicts will never end.
ReplyDeleteNot anywhere in the near future I fear. Thanks for commenting Alistair.
DeleteI like your optimism, unfortunately I see a year of more of the same ahead!
ReplyDeleteThanks Iain. One can only hope.
DeleteAlways something to fight about. And more often than not belief sytems at the bottom of it.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right about that one, there is always some kind of belief system behind these conflicts.
DeleteDear Subroto,
ReplyDeleteHumans can always find reasons to declare war, can't they? And the innocents suffer. Sad but well done. Happy New Year.
Shalom,
Rochelle
We haven't evolved enough as a species yet but there is still hope. A happy new year to you too.
DeleteMan made conflicts are never ending. People enrolled as soldiers to defend boundaries usually pay the price through their lives.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet we take our freedom for granted. Thanks for your comments Abhijit.
DeleteA sombre and sober tale, Subroto. And unfortunately, one that will be repeated....
ReplyDelete"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
DeleteThis does ring more true than ever, thanks for reading and commenting Dale.
So sad and so true. I'm afraid I can't share your optimism.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gabriele, I guess we can only hope for the best.
DeleteShort of words to comment on this post!!
ReplyDelete