is us

it is terrible to
   intimidate your
neighbor.

   to bully around
      your enemies

   to strike those
      who are weaker
   or unarmed.

for some countries, it’s
   basic economics to
      make money in the
   killing trade

      each straining
to market machines more
   sleek & expensive
than its competitors

   dealing death with elegant
precision.

   of course, there are
      also secret chemicals
       & germs &

   hidden in the salt
      mines, planet-
       bursting
bombs.

witness the subtle
   art & not-so-subtle
      acts of psychological

   warfare or the
      grinding poverty &
       despair the rich

   so generously lavish
      upon the
poor.

imagine the electronic
   monsters guarding their
      borders, skys & seas.

   fear their infiltrating
      spies & paid informants.

   watch their moles sub
      vert all local politics as
       their business men

   strip cherries from the
trees.

they keep us dreaming of
   their fire-breathing
      dragons bringing hellish

   night burning brighter than
      day &

   death death death
      to the women & children
       in their way

   death death death
      to soldiers, workers,
       politicians & priests

   death death death
      to underprivileged
hearts.

diplomacy is
   their will be done
      by all & any
means.

the terrorist
   is
us.