If you read the final words that are ever written
And you hear the last song as it’s sung
Why do you ask me what happened to freedom
That was fought for when we were very young?
Look around and see where lay the dying
In their rotting layers found under your feet.
It was because the bodies kept on mounting
As the politicians only made more plans to meet.
Words were spoken by the righteous
Many times and most intellectually,
But words never save the poor from dying
Nor open any grave and set them free.
Why not ask if minds had been joined in a union
And the word peace carved with blood into stone
Then could man have found an answer
Instead of finding more reasons to postpone
But was real peace ever looked for by humanity?
When money was being earned by guns firing all the more.
Just think of all the different weapons that have been invented,
Because it’s greed that’s the reason behind the start of any war.
© 2023 Daniel Kemp All rights reserved
About Daniel Kemp
At the age of seventy-six, Daniel Kemp has started his second year of studying the science of Psychology at the Open University. He is a member of The Society of Authors and also a bestselling writer. However, in early September 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer. He is now in palliative care at home, being looked after by his ex-wife. When he was writing his novels, he enjoyed writing stories that appealed to those who liked challenging themselves to solve mysteries that were set out before their eyes, but they couldn't.
His introduction to the world of espionage and mystery happened at an early age when his father was employed by the War Office in Whitehall, London, at the end of WWII. However, it wasn’t until after his father died that he showed any interest in anything other than himself!
On leaving academia he took on many roles in his working life: a London police officer, mini-cab business owner, pub tenant and licensed London taxi driver, but never did he plan to become a writer. Nevertheless, after a road traffic incident left him suffering from PTSD and effectively—out of paid work for four years, he wrote and self-published his first novel —The Desolate Garden.
Within three months of publication, that book was under a paid option to become a $30 million film. The option lasted for six years until distribution became an insurmountable problem for the production company.
All ten of his novels are now published by Next Chapter Publishing Company which has added an edition titled The Heirs And Descendants Collection, which holds all four books of that series, alongside an edition titled The Lies And Consequences Collection which contains all four volumes of that series.
He is the recipient of rave reviews from a prestigious Manhattan publication and described as—the new Graham Green—by a highly placed executive of Waterstones Books, for whom he did a countrywide tour of book signing events. He has also appeared on 'live' television in the UK publicising his first novel.
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Daniel Kemp 
Poignant and topical, Danny. Well said.
Thank you, Patricia.
Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..
Thank you, Ed
Hi Danny, George Orwell would be proud of you with this excellent poem. “And the word peace craved with blood into stone” – should craved be carved?
Yes, it should have been carved, Robbie, thank you for spotting it. George was a very clever man, you know. He had a tremendous amount of foresight as of course can be seen in his writing, but he had more than that. His real name was Eric Blair and he could see how infamous and shoddy the name of Bair would become after his namesake–Tony– preferred monetary handouts from the wealthy to line his own pockets with.
George Orwell was very clever and his books are brilliant. You are also correct that he had good insight into the future of his name. 😊
What a powerful and poignant statement! I can’t help but think of the countless wars that have been fought and the innocent lives that have been lost because of it. I hope that we can all come together and find peace one day.
That would be nice, Frances.
Daniel, your poem is great. I am with you in every stanza. From the older wars through to events in our society today.
As your u say, greed lies behind it all.
Miriam
You are so very kind, Miriam. My thanks come from my heart.
Your poem highlights well some of the evils of war that always impact most those who have no voice. You are so right, Daniel: Greed for money and power is the impetus behind all war. I’m so thankful that no matter the circumstances we face, God gives his strength, courage, and peace to endure!