Some say there is a need for war.
We must protect our ideals from sea to shore.
No matter how many lives are lost,
death to sustain life – is the cost.

It’s evil vs. good, and it’s always black and white.
Really? If I am wrong does that make my rivals right?
Can we come back to a middle ground?
Are we serving smackdowns all around?

Some use God as accomplice, as they attempt to settle the score.
They have ill will, but still knocking on heaven’s door.
Extremists are with out balance and are busy breeding hate.
Falwell and Laden are distractions diving the great.

History’s lessons could be one source for the healing.
Yet, cause and effect, is rarely considered in the dealing.
Institutionalized to sensationalized; terror comes in many forms.
Some terrorists are called freedom fighters by the war torn.

When there’s no justice, we bear witness to hunger and rage.
When there’s no justice terror is entertainment on a world stage.
Will we ask for forgiveness and beg for peace as a final plea?
Who will wave earth’s flag for the freedom of all of humanity?

 

 

~~

They don’t call me the poetic soldier for no reason. Lately I feel called to duty. This poem weighs heavy on my mind as there are rumors of World War III. I wrote “Death of a Soldier Part I” when I was freshman in college at The University of Akron and the second installment was my reflection on the (Gulf/Iraq War 2003-2011) written seven years later.

Penned in 2003 and the first version was published in the Map of Austin Poetry or MAP

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