War For Peace

The price of peace grows ever higher
for kidnaps, bombs and mortar fire,
while torture, rape and execution
bring headlines and retribution.

First blood was paid.
Now we debate.

Still we cannot capitulate.
Seal our fates, these petty hates,
the lives that give their dreams to lies.
Ears that hear the fears and sighs,
of parents’ tears, children’s cries,
this war cannot immortalize
the broken vision before my eyes.

“Support the troops and not the war”
If that is what a home is for.
Though now we find that, more and more
we scratch our heads and pace the floor,
we know not what we’re fighting for;

This war for peace - this peaceful war.

This day, this week, this war is heading
where no solution is presenting.
Sunnis, Shiites kill each other,
families torn brother from brother.

We deploy this year, another.
Send our soldiers father and mother
to Afghanistan, Iran?, Iraq,
with vehicles both wheeled and track,
expecting soon they’re coming back.
When they do - we send again
when Johnny comes marching home again.

Chance Beyer
Baghdad, 2006
Check Point 1 – Haifa Street