Vigil

The spangled banner stands proudly proclaiming
-its domination-
Acting as though its values reflect the virtues of
-our nation-
Vainly waving to us in front of the edifice
-of "justice"-
While the tiny procession brandishes its cardboard statement
-just this:-
Daily we sacrifice our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters to
-mighty Mars-
A god whose greedy heart pumps innocent blood with which we fuel
-our cars-
Let our declaration be a dagger to the demons
-of violence-
Today eighteen faceless names, eighteen young voices
-now silenced-
No one names the thousands of foreign deaths
-we create-
Other people's family die needlessly while
-we anticipate-
Will we cut short the life of one more husband, wife
-or friend?-
Let it be said we stood, praying for this madness
-to end-