Peace Splattered

on the skin of the innocents

while hate dug her fingers

into the hair of a country

and pulled

Hate was given in exchange for hate

that was bred into the children

like a dialect of speech,

natural and distinct.

The hate was born from the belly

of every disgruntled housewife

and fieldworker and follower of

the man

because the man said stand up

and fight for your GOD GIVEN RIGHTS

to make a fool of yourself

but the self was lost to the

masses marching forth with flags.

Flags, flags everywhere

waving on poles of confused bodies

flapping the debt of their forebears

the debt of hate never paid off.

And the wind stopped, suddenly,

and the flags fell,

leaving nothing but people,

blank eyed and without cause.

The wind started up again,

and the crowd roared mightily,

while blood nourished the earth

and peace splattered.

09/26/2001

Posted on 09/26/2001
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