War

War

It spreads like a disease—

This thing that we call war.

When the box is opened,

One battle calls for more.

When one group of people

See another fight,

They suddenly remember

They’ve been denied some right.

Then giving up all other rights,

They run to join the fray.

There discounting human life,

They face their judgement day.

One after another joins

‘Till the whole world’s at war.

And no one quite remembers

What they are fighting for.

So they justify it

With “God” or “Liberty,”

But the loss of life and land and limb

Speaks to the tragedy.

Oh, the height of foolishness

Man in war displays:

The extension of his ignorance,

The reduction of his days.

He sinks beneath the quicksand

As he slowly loses grip,

Unconscious that war is no more

Than a fool’s power trip.

©Qoheleth, 2012