War is not
Simple
A jersey or icon
Coliseum or stadium
War is not uniform lines
Facing off in an open field
Rousing trumpets
Shiny shields
War is not a game
Of mortal kombat
To be played at
There is only chaos
When control
Fear and power
Motivate the man
In the high tower
War is a bloody
Muddled mess of death
Destruction
Confusion
Innocent's last breath
One impossible cruel choice
After another
Those who suffer
Don't want a fight
But a sovereign life of peace
Day and night
To live and let live
A bit of land
A place to call home
Tend soil by hand
But there's only loss
When control
Fear and power
Motivate the man
In the high tower
Our wars are not
Ours
But thrust upon us
By insecure rageful boys
In bodies of grown men
(I can think of at least ten)
Who back us into corners
With no exits
Assuming our immediate
Or eventual
Submission
Their mission a frightful display
Of tantrum terror
Still so angry at their
Mothers
They turn brothers against
Brothers
Spinning yarns from
Blood soaked thread
So desperate to be head
Won't bother counting the dead
Our leaders need to be led
When control
Fear and power
Motivate the men
In the high tower
Jaclyn Edds Konczal | March 1, 2022