This maelstrom of jihad, pogroms, crusades
Auto da fes, reformation, counter
Reformation, inquisition, all crazed
Murder for Yawah, Jesus Christ, Allah—
Add in that simpler, god-damned, blood-drenched greed—
Murder for oil, diamonds, drugs, and ore.
Add in still more: imbued hatred, the need
To kill the other—brown white black tall short.
But why? Life’s best gifts are not religious
Zeal, not obscene wealth, nor fierce tribal pride.
Rooting for the home team, food (prodigious
In scope and taste), hot sex, a loving bride,
Children, caring, work, dance, and song, all these—
Rich and loosely scripted animation
Of our lives—provide ample means to please,
Nourish starving hearts, affirm creation.
Why, then, diminish joy, choose to wound, slay,
Revel in rage? We all die anyway.
(11/11/08)