Amity

as the war rages

we forget our worth

we battle 

we murder

we bomb

lay waste

end it once and for all

drive them into the sea

call upon our gods

for our righteous cause

they deserve to die

give us the strength to accomplish our glorious mission

finish it 

render our enemy unto dust

but

a singular voice cries out 

joined by one and then another

numbering only a few

a whisper at first

astonishing even in their quiet words

have we forgotten our common past

have we forgotten from whence we came

our history

our ancient compatibility

from long ago when we resided side by side

when our shared father commanded that we both become great nations

and we did

we grew together

granting refuge to each other

facing prevailing enemies

our descendants spreading their lives across the earth

as we practiced our common traditions

and we held holy the ritual circumcision of our boy children

now murdering each other

two peoples of this earth abiding by that potent sameness

is that not a compelling bond

the blessing of a covenant with God

but the astounding voices vanish

first one then another

fading into the haze of fury

until only the silence of gunfire resounds

©kcasady2014