APRIL 2003

 Bands play; soldiers march

amid waving flags,

of fear and vengeance born,

A shallow ditch;

sparse haven.

A woman crouches,

children clutched close.

Fear; terror.

How will death come?

There is blood

on the young boy’s clothes.

Bands play; soldiers march

amid waving flags,

to end fear with violence.

Noble goal,

bringing lasting good.

A family mourns a father,

casualty of war.

Wife, young children;

wails of anguish; tears.

He did not halt when ordered;

the bullets hasty, a mistake.

It does not stop the tears,

stifle the wails.

In the foreground,

eyes covered in grief,

a young Osama.

Bands play; soldiers march

amid waving flags,

victory achieved.

The goal is false; triumph hollow;

the only victor: Fear.

Bands play; soldiers march

amid waving flags.

Play the march for those who died;

a dirge for us, the living.