Our societal lens has become smudged, cracked, and broken.
Through that lens, young boys go fight and die in the mud for our righteous country. “Heroes, all!”
Through that lens, the noble flag waves majestically overhead while life leaves their broken and fragile bodies. Boys cough up blood and wilt like dying flowers before a scorching sun.
Through that lens, mothers receive humble letters of thanks for offering their boys up to the noble meat grinder. “Thank you for your sacrifice to the motherland, good woman.”
Through that lens, The Cause is just. Freedom is secured. Patriotism is righteous.
Through that lens, the sacrifice of young souls is a required offering.
Through that lens, patriotic breasts beat fast with pride! Our eyes see only a waving flag and not the empty vessels of broken children below it. “Our country can do no wrong; right, Comrade?”
Through that lens, the savagery and senselessness is muted and warped into something almost … sublime.
But few question the lens; none question themselves.
The blood-stained lens is sacrosanct and divine, as is the flag that waves through it—a flag which ushers young boys to their early and futile young ends.
Sean Dempsey
August 02, 2024
