PEACE, WAR, AND FOLLY

A man of peace they say he was,
For in his mouth he carried a dove.
He spoke with words that sounded wise,
But they were wolves in a sheep's guise.

In his hand he carried a gun,
From before him mankind would run.
Upon his body the scars he wore,
This man was a man who knew war.

The man of peace preached his religion,
A man aloof and of great vision.
Around him mankind did flock
For the man who knew war he did mock.

The throng around him would spit and chide,
His head held high he took it in stride.
Though alone life's path he would walk,
For his country's freedom he would not baulk.

Let's all live together, let's all live as one,
Let's all live in peace, let's all embrace the sun.
The message sounded right, it sounded clear,
Lift all that is peaceful, lift all that is dear.

The life of peace just seemed so right
The masses grasped it with all their might.
The man of peace had them so blind
Their freedom he would bind.

Then one day the masses awoke
Their freedom gone with just a stroke.
They cried aloud to no avail,
A despot they were forced to hail.

He had walked alone no one at his side,
Now entreated to turn the tide.
He shrugged his weary shoulders, and said with a sigh,
Take up your weapons, war is nigh.

Along side the man who knew war they now fought,
With their blood and tears, freedom was again bought.
They lifted him high with victory in their heart,
With new bought freedom a new peace they would start.

A man of peace they say he was,
For in his mouth he carried a dove.
He spoke with words that sounded wise,
But they were wolves in a sheep's guise.

In his hand he carried a gun,
From before him mankind would run.
Upon his body the scars he wore,
This man was a man who knew war.

©Copyright February 14, 2007 by Robert A. Brown