war & the individual conscience

war, perhaps, is a natural force of
devastation that ravishes our world like a
hurricane & passes on.

or a tragedy of human things, propelled by
desire, vanity and greed.

even a distant war, reported on tv or over the
radio, burns a hole in the chest.

honor fear––be silent & camouflage yourself;
honor the urge to rise up and sacrifice if it comes;
be attentive to the spirit’s will.

for all my tremblings & hero dreams,
i’m here to honestly record the words which
express my soul & give ragged birth to
what must be said.

in my heart, i know this war is wrong.