Are we at war?

Back when wars used to mean something
People fought for causes
We were governed by our morals
We took up arms to protect others
Gave up our lives so that others could be free
So that others could worship in any way they saw fit
So that others could be our equals
Walk the earth with their heads held high, with respect

When did it come to this?
Now we fight for ourselves
We are governed by our hatred
We fight for revenge
To punish others
Because they worship differently than us
Something about the color of their skin
Or the way they tie their hair
Something as little as that
And we start a war with the world

We were bigger then
Now we are a small people
Reminded of how scarce the world is
That’s its too small for all of us
If others succeed then it somehow means that we’ve failed
So we rid ourselves of them
We’re afraid
That they might be different than us
Never realizing that our hatred of them breeds their hatred of us

Back then we solved our differences like men
We had to punch people in the face
And we knew that we might get a licking back
We walked away bruised and broken but made the statement that we needed to make
Now we fight like machines
Never having to get our hands dirty
We press a button and destroy the fabric that ties our humanity
Killing one another was never easier
And our conscience was never as translucent

Our role models changed
Back then we were punished for our trespasses
Now radio hosts taunt our humility
We used to believe in Jesus
And the example he lived
A white brother with a tattoo of a cross on his arm
Never really knew what that symbol meant
He took his angst out on the innocent
And made a mockery of the man who died for his sins

We burn mosques down to the ground
Pump an entire theater with evil
Shoot up houses of worship
We destroy the lives that remain
The ones that pick up the pieces
The mothers, sons, daughters and husbands
And still say that we need more weapons
Nanak watches it all unfold
Reminds us
That which divides us, destroys us
The pendulum swings
Time passes
Are we headed together
Or further apart

What are we at war with
A dream that we can coexist

2 Comments

  1. An amazing piece beautifully written. It is true that in this day and age we seem to be able to kill and not feel how it destroys humanity. When we praise ourselves for having come so far in technology etc. it seems that we have not advanced at all in being able to live together as one human family that is tied together by our common humanity.

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