A Year of War

ii The Heart

I chose myself

not mostly,

not just close to,

100%

I came home

i The Homefront

I knew what we were in for

as soon as Gramma collapsed

at the Scrabble board

iii The Heroes

If you take to the front lines,

do it online

Don't hurt anybody.

Like your forebearers, commit global freedom

Canada didn't try out for the team this year.

We gave handouts instead.We slapped wrists?

We were preoccupied with the royals. What? No.

No, not Andrew

iv The Horror

Can we call it what it is Now? Or

are we still Cuttingwomendownnothingnew

Drown out the top 40's newsreels

for a bit. Have a moment of silence

For Afghan, Arab and Persian Humans

Who are not fighting for freedom, they're dying.

Individuals on the ground because we can't SAY

with a resounding STOP! Not another person

goes missing. Not another girl cut. No, you may not

call your God.

To Israel and the rest of the Free World,

you Know who you are. I see your bravery

The whole of middle Earth

is ready for Your light, for

reality. Eyes to see

unclouded by monarchy

unshrouded by theocracy

unbound, what message must we

send the Saudis?

No Law but Freedom

Nothing God-given

No Modesty. Just Pride

in commitment to self-actualization

Absolutely. No. Sacrifice.

China, I...

still imagine Tibet's hills sometimes

I would climb those mountains in reverence

not to governance and order, but to goodness and grace. I know. I know I remember

the Michaels. No. I can't see you right now. Thanks

v. The Horcrux

Putin,

it wasn't the crack down on dissidence

the obstruction of justice, it wasn't the freezing of assets,

The saddest part about your whole war

was when children's Tylenol

ran out. What? Oh, wait. that was for Justin.