save us a? 11.11.19

save us a

what strikes me about Veterans Day 

are the uniforms

the regimented ness

the arms

the sternness 

waving the flag

carrying the flag

the multitude of flags 

and uniforms 

and hats 

and drums

and flags 

is it allegiance 

or 

is it alienation

aligned with principles 

and values 

and mercy

or

alienated from family

and friends 

and love

acts of duty 

and mission, 

or 

acts of violence against others 

and insanity 

thoughtfulness 

or 

is there thoughtlessness

what are the motivations of veterans

singlemindeness resolve

attentiveness to human commands

guidance of divine calling

why do the leaders use conflict 

as logic

has any one described militarism 

as diplomacy

what need is there of constant conflict 

with resulting wounded warriors 

was the questioned asked of the leaders

why not make illegal war and all its material accruements

a universal query 

could we not honor our veterans
by not to having need of veterans

if outlawing war is an impossible ask

perhaps the answer falls to soldiers

to boycott war, 

and civilians to boycott, 

and presidents world wide to boycott

will the money lenders 

and money exchangers 

find other means of profit making

will men walk in lock step step step

for the unarmed mission of peace

with a peace flag 

wearing  feathered

and humble helmets of resubmission

and of redemption 

and of real leadership

will purple heart recipients

return to their origins

of red heart recipients 

from the time of their birth

from the time of their unions

from the time of offspring

from the time of their heralded demise

will the everyday people 

ask of those in staunch salutes

does the enhance meaning

for the everyday people 

will dictators

will oligarchs 

will autocrats

always rule

or

will the everyday people know

how big a flag

how big a medal

how big a war

how bid a budget

how insensitive to the Creator

how insensitive to the Redeemer

how insensitive to the Spirit

does the everyday people want to be

give men a job

give men a jeep

give men a humvee

give everyday people life 

give without strife

no time to be an amputee