What, when two folks can’t agree, must they do?
Easy! Negotiate a compromise.
Each party gives up a bit—thus they woo
Settlement—solomonically wise.
When stubborn ‘hoods, cities, regions, nations
Not only can’t agree, but also arm—
Commit to carnage, spill rich oblations
To all the deities of war—much harm
Ensues. Antagonists burn, pillage, kill—
Pursuing justice (and, perhaps, some loot)—
Until—bloodied, drained, ruined—they find the will
To compromise (morality grows mute).
But how does virtue spring from compromise?
What justice in morality’s demise?
(5/5/09)