What have I done to live here in peace
while the countries around are at war?
While the children I see become lazy and fat,
the ones on the opposite shore
are broken and crying and shaking in fear
of the bombs that exploded and tore.

I have done nothing deserving of peace
that they did not do as well,
but yet I am safe while they live in a land
that today is a living hell
of agony, trauma and death in the streets
while the buildings around them fell.

The innocent suffer while armies obey
commands of an eloquent voice.
The war victims perish and veterans cry
while the leaders that won rejoice.
Can someone explain why civilians enlist?
Is war the majority’s choice?

I fully expect that America, too,
will someday be put in a fight.
So tell me, my readers, what do you believe
is morally wrong and right?
Are the lives of the enemy valued the same
as anyone else in your sight?

They say if your love for your country is true,
you will willingly die for the same.
American, yes, and I do love this land
but this poem will bring me shame.
For I’d rather be killed for refusing to kill,
than to...