March to War

Spring pirouettes in
Winter’s been fought
There’s a hint about going to war.

A classroom door closes
The children are taught
But not a word about going to war.

Groceries are bagged
Eggs carefully packed
Amid chatter of going to war.

The dentist repairs
A tooth that is cracked
As he thinks about going to war.

The old woman’s hip
Is beginning to knit
She knows nothing of going to war.

A ticket is booked
On a luxury ship
No one is sure we are going to war.

Ice trays are refilled
Egg whites are whipped
Drowning whispers of going to war.

The tumor’s removed
By the skilled surgeon’s knife
Still we talk about going to war.

Two lovers embrace
Making plans for their life
Ignoring threats of us going to war.

A new row is hoed
The seed planted deep
In hope we won’t go to war.

The mother lies down
Her new son, now asleep
She dreams we won’t go to war.

The dishes are washed
The children all fed
The news is . . . we must go to war.

A head is bowed low
The prayer is said
Please let us NOT go to war!
 
                                                                                    
                                                                                   © 2003   By Jean Are *

This was written just before the beginning of the invasion of Iraq.  I hope it is not relevant today as the threats to Iran escalate!  -- Nov. 2007