consider war

have we considered the fact
that it may be a sin to
fund bombers for killing
people on the other side of the world
when we have children
who go to bed hungry
without medical care
or a chance to learn?
perhaps if our money
went to healing
and not killing
we would surely not be
in so much debt
as we are now.
for great is the debt we owe
to the souls of those who have
died in need within our own borders
while our killing machines
did their best abroad.
it is no sin to protect
those we love
or to defend the borders
of the land that sustains us.
but it is certainly a tragedy
to let our neighbor starve
so that we may kill
those who live abroad
because they do not share
our wholesome ideals.

d.s.