War Is Staged Murder

(in memory of Weldon Kees)

"An idiot wind is blowing; the conscience dies."
--Weldon Kees (1914-1955)


War is staged murder, nothing more,
And all the patriotic whores
Who sing of liberty are dead--
Their shallow lives are filled with dread
Of walking home late at night--

War is staged murder--it's all right
To follow orders and conform--
Just kill and wear a uniform--
It's a preventive genocide,
While God... He loves the winning side.


                                                     January 7, 2004
                                                  --Alexander Shaumyan