By Sean Dempsey, 11/5/23
Who is this brazen Stranger—
Who would DARE of freedom dream—
To crave a land, of strife and sand,
Be filled not with children’s screams?
“Perhaps a stop to bloodshed
Might slow the endless ring—
Reveal God’s ken; we’re all still men!
Let us see what love can bring…”
But the Wisemen speak to fancy:
“This war will cleanse the earth;
Like ice and fire to mud and mire,
The dead must bring their worth.”
The Sages nod, continue on:
“Sir, there are monsters in these lands!
Not men, but beasts, on cruelty feast—
So we must all make a stand!”
The Stranger looks a tired eye
At this wartorn, ruined lot—
Although meek, he starts to speak…
But his head explodes; he’s shot.
