Come January, comforted by blessed fire, warmth from my glowing hearth,
Peeling ripe oranges, picked in climes, from far off southern trees,
Recalling songs, delighting, reciting poems of untold mirth,
Jack Frost toys, each wintry Janus day, as whales sound the seven seas.

Still, there hangs Guernica, draped on that tepid wall,
As starved young Auklets, float dead by thousands, in the wounded sea,
Pallid hell boils o'er, with wreaking stench, mixed rich, political gall,
Yet life's mistress spins, in all her ancient glory, as ancient glory be.

Wonder then, what devilish deeds are done?
Like chords struck wrong, 'cross broken strings, intoned with glory's religious hymn,
What value hast the setting sun?
If death becomes the light, all wearied, our patient eyes grow dim.

Behold! Such violent structure, venting evil's terrible due,
Cry out! As innocence is raped, discarded, on some bloodied street,
Behold! Crystal prophets, long dead and gone, parables cooked, served in rancid stew,
Such damned corruption! God himself resists, weary of this disastrous feat.

Shimmering icicles hang, from yawning eaves, dripping bloodied drops today,
Sunbeams anchor thoughts, as January's memories freeze ideas in one's head,
Glory! Believing sacred time is right, as doctrine makes its bloody play,
While dogma barks, unchained, as ugly death accompanies, in its bloody stead.

One God, creator, of this finite world,
Yet prophets told, a dime, unfold a dozen,
Bitter tales, betwixt guns and bombs, war's flags unfurled,
Blue eyes tear, fearful children slaughtered, brown eyes cheer,  'twixt embattled cousins.

Our family is wounded, tormented, battle scarred,
World leaders confused, earth's nations fixed, forever flawed,
Satan sprawls, howling, demon legions rejoice, as love is flensed, forever marred,
Folly! Seven deadly sins rule, war's terrible steed is battle shod.

What hope? Can love resolve these ancient crimes?
Courage! Resolve your heartfelt choice,
Can humankind stand? E'en flourish, in stead of ancient rhymes!
Segmented oranges, peeled naked, soothe and sate, this distant voice.