I could never throw a right punch
As a child I would sometimes
Land an off-target sucker shot
Always left feeling numbed
Restrained by some failed
Synaptic impulse to strike
 
I consider myself a peaceful man
Prone to reflection and rationalization
Perhaps now it’s the wisdom of age
Or lack of youthful vigor and daring
Secure in the comfortableness of life
Afraid of what its loss would incur
 
I used to think it would all end
If everyone would just refuse to fight 
Christ lived and preached that way
His love was crucified as example
Thoreau set meditation to page
Isolated by his reflecting pond
Ghandi’s path formed nations
Divided now with nuclear vision
 
What conflict rages within me now
In an age compelled to wage this war
Where this way, my way of life
Assaulted and questioned by attack
Has required concerted reaction
Orchestrated to play along
 
By whose command begins this battle
In ancient struggle of good and beast
Love of life persuades my judgement
Thinking therein lies the hidden trap
Do I now endorse the deadly use of
Force determined to keep my liberty
 
It was not with fear that I was left
As a youth and unwilling to fight
Becoming in time an ironic twist
Pressured by peers to strike him then
That kid I socked when we were ten
Still right these years, beloved friend
 

11/27/2001

Posted on 01/08/2002
Copyright © 2024 David R Spellman