Villanelle Against the War in Iraq

A nation looking for a war to start
might pose a danger to a world at peace,
like all with power, but who lack a heart.

A fragile universe can fall apart
when cowards feel themselves at ease
with nations looking for a war to start.

George and Tony, Jacques, even Gerhard,
all strain to do their very best to please
those with the power, but who lack the heart

to stand for virtues that the humble guard
through willingness to speak from bended knees
to nations looking for a war to start.

The wise seem stupid, the perverse seem smart
the wretched are the ones who lose their lease
to those with power, but who lack the heart.

Who knows how it will end? Or how we start
to lose our way, defending wealth and greed?
When we have power, but we lack the heart
to shame such nations with a war to start.

(C)2003, Michael Blumenthal