Notes About The Poem

Rumors of War

("Creation Myth - Anthropomorphic Nebula Merit Badge” #65, 2016, original oil)

Rumors of War

War, war, rumors of war,
Whispered on the winds
Screamed from the rooftops.

Who does it benefit,
What is it good for?

I can tell you this as someone
Who has known it in a million lifetimes
Hand to hand, across trenches,
Behind ramparts and within
Tanks and Hellfire missiles,
It’s not the soldiers, or generals
Nor even their countries 
Who ever come out on top.
It is simply humanity
Willing to sacrifice one band for another
So the germ can spread,
Steeled in conflict, hardened by fire
Purified in the sacrifice 
Like a virgin on the crest 
Of a mighty pyramid.

And when it comes to us
Where will we be?
Cheering in the crowd 
Or running for the hills,
Or perhaps hiding in the sewers
Laying low 
Waiting for the perfect shot.

(11/27/24)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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