all these war torn places
all those bloody flags people fly
all those meaningless tattoos
littering a fragile human landscape
can humans ever atone
what about devotion
if we lose faith is there another way
or is life just a bloody comedy
just some tragic three act play
what about compassion
will brutality always be the way
so much spilled blood
all those badges earned in battle
what about belief
who controls this limited earth
why are tribal people scattered
when we humans are pressed
as innocent blood is splattered
should people surrender and confess
while invaders swarm over country
does patriotism even matter
propaganda's powerful weapons
causing deadly harm and civil stress
like a rampaging volcano spewing lava
changing the very earth and all its bounty
perhaps the toughest lesson learned
to learn to have a soul and heart
rearrangement of this skinny planet
exposing the heart of cagey civilization
all those violent screams
all that glory seldom earned

                     * * *