In your preparations for war
Have you thought closely on
The instant and on the deed
For what are you implementing
An inventory of skeletons
In whose name are you taking names
And over what distance are you expecting to come home
Why should it be an order against ourselves
That so many innocent people have to die
Instead of a surrender flag wave your comrade’s bones
This should bring us up close to our inhumanity
The sight of someone who was and now no longer is
This should be enough to weaken the resolve of going to war

Ronald Rae