Wars and Rumours of Wars

Wars and Rumours of Wars

When I look at this world I see so much pain.
I see men grasp for so little to gain.
I see acts of cruelty again and again,
And men look on with arrogant disdain.

In a cold barren land there are refugees
In make-shift tents amongst a few trees.
Afraid and bewildered they fall to their knees
Not knowing who to trust, their pain cannot ease.

Confused, bewildered and filled with fear –
Look over the shoulder – is the enemy near?
Their families killed with bullet or spear,
These have survived, but lost all who were dear.

‘Clean up the land’ was the excuse conveyed
To kill off these people, to plunder and raid.
‘Ethnic cleansing’s the excuse to make them afraid
For being somehow different to the way some are made.

‘Lets have fun’ is their relentless cry
While they ruthlessly torture them, squeezing them dry.
They take all they own and laugh as they die –
They hate them so much, but who cares why?

Why is it that men are unable to live
At peace with others with so much to give
‘Though different in the things they do and believe,
Yet if there’s a fault they just cannot forgive?

Sometimes what I see I find hard to believe.
I try understanding but cannot conceive
Of the things men do, nor can I perceive
What causes a man to destroy and bereave.

Why? Lord God in heaven above –
Where for these people your undying love?
Yet it’s there in the olive branch borne by a Dove
Through the hands of millions who’d give all they have.

Let hope not die in the midst of disaster!
This isn’t the end, for there’s life hereafter.
One day coming soon, we shall see our Master,
And the tears of the innocent will turn to laughter.

_{Inspired by the occurrences in Kosovo in the late 90's.}

© Anna Kirsten 1999