He didn’t go to war
He didn’t think he had any enemies
He felt he had brothers in far-off places
that he’d love to get to meet some day.
Even though they grew up in different places
he felt they were brothers, just the same.
Because he didn’t go to war
and because he protested
he was looked down upon.
He thought he’d done the ultimate:
obeyed the Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.

Is right wrong?

You, on the other hand, went to war
and fought people you didn’t even know.
Fellow human beings they were
and you returned a hero.
A ticker-tape parade was held in your honour.
You were lauded and glorified
for killing and maiming fellow human beings.
Was that the ultimate accomplishment for you?

Is wrong right?

© 1993
From A Little Souvenir in Poetry