Threnody on War and Peace



The bees are resting at their ease;
land strikes a truce with the seas.

Peace is breaking out all over
from Kabul to Tripoli to Dover:

all young soldiers will shortly
be clothed in red leaves.

*****

Stark in the spotlight
of a M4 carbine,
she wails, reaches out
with wet hands.

Blood spots bloom
like the scarlet
flowers on her dress.

*****

We await some new vaccine
against war, apply

ineffective salve
cover with a band aid

pray for some end
to unending conflict.

Christopher T. George