WHEN KONRAD LORENZ

When Konrad Lorenz studied how small fish

Overcame lethal greedy tendency

By activating new dependency -

Called love - to build a larger fulfilled wish,

He clarified the dynamic sweep and swish

Of conquest across Earth’s wide land and sea

That gave to humans such ascendancy,

Watched warfare grow as in a petri dish.

War against Other creates Family.

The nut of war that no hard mind can crack

If opened would show God Life Blaze Attack,

Drying white hot deaths else left clammily.

So life says Outcompete! Outnumber! Breed!

Build Love of Tribe and State! Expand! Succeed!

Published online: Snakeskin 225, January 2016

NEVER BELIEVE

Never believe the lies of war, and the orders
That seem to make sense –
Whether Hitler or Bush, no one storms over borders
“In self defence”.

“Leading the Free World” by having the biggest gun
Has always chilled
Those on whom the guns are turned, on everyone
Free to be killed.

Published, Ambit No. 200, UK, April 2010

WARRIOR

His armor is silver, his ’chute is khaki,
A grenade on his belt, and a shield on his arm;
And she thinks of the kiss by the loom and TV
And his camouflaged, war-painted lost face’s charm.

He went off with his pals in the longship and jeep,
As brave as his rockets in the boat prow.
And disease, gas and tomahawk put him to sleep….
What is his mouth, to laugh or kiss now?

Published: Ryerson Free Press, Canada, April 2008

PHOTO OF A DEAD IRAQI

Hard to describe blown-off-ness of a head:
No head, neck, shoulder – only flopping flesh,
Unfinished ending of a smooth-limbed, fresh,
Strong, naked body on white-sheeted bed;
A tangled, mangled churning; then, instead
Of the anticipated face (serene
As marble statue, Christmas figurine)
Instead, disorganized meat, spilling red.

No face or brains or hair. We’re sick, confused.
The torn-off torso seems to have the calm
Proportions of an adult – look again:
The genitalia of a boy of ten.
“Collateral damage” is the term that’s used.
Beside the body, on the sheet, an arm.

Published: Ryerson Free Press, Canada, April 2008