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Book 34 Page 18

War rhetoric

You spoke of ‘fairness,’

Of not killing where possible, yet thousands died.

You spoke of ‘minimal damage.’

Yet every second house was destroyed.

You spoke of ‘justice.’

And you brought them to their knees.

You spoke of ‘dignity.’

I don’t think the other side felt any.

You spoke so eloquently

And I listened,

And I believed you,

And that’s what frightens me,

I believed you.

© Written by Dominic John Gill 28 Dec 2001 dominicj7@poetry.net.au