The Gray of War

The Gray of War
Poem for Day 054 – 20141116

I say back.
You say white.
Battle lines drawn.
Compromise gone.
I am in the right,
and you are in the wrong.

How did we arrive here?
Too much pain sustained.
Too many sleights imposed.
Enough is enough.
You will no longer be unopposed.
The battle has begun.

We will assume the enemy's ways.
It worked for them, it will work for us.
Their tactics were brutal,
our version is necessary.
Fire will fight fire.
Have no fear, this is only temporary.

Take no prisoners says the leaders.
Maximum casualties are guaranteed.
There will be no wounded.
Scorched earth will be the policy.
Our dead speak in united congregation.
We must exact your extermination.

The day ends,
our work is done.
Vengeance has been granted,
and we must have won.
So says mute testimony by the dead,
sadly there is nobody left to bury the departed.

I was black,
and you were white.
You were my enemy,
and I was yours.
Now we are no more, our blood is one,
and all that is left is the gray of war.

© 2014. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved.