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Hapless In Helmand

four star circus
side show of war,
thugs on a hillside
another killing floor,

greedy men squabble loudly
gulping down the poor,
coalition vacuole
futility galore,

sobbing children in the dust
silent tears like rain,
generation lost to time
born in tragic pain,

greener valleys stretch on out
blot out the crimson stain,
sons and daughters of the fist
hope for love in vain,

win the peace, slogans fly
bloviating head,
metal coffin rocky graves
feel hobnail tread,

darker cabals plot it out
empire must be fed,
marching legions to the borders
muster in their stead,

parched throats choking on a crust
bitter unslaked hate,
plowshares beaten into swords
blood debts won't abate,

who can say what life is worth
as condolence payment made,
trembling fluid, parchment hospice,
eyelights slowly fade,

sunlight melting slowly
moving through the dusk,
bloodshot eyes see clearly
at the future's empty husk,

dirty smiles, broken grins,
polluted tonic for our sins,

old hob just sits and grins.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Book: Reflection on the Important Things