The Cycle of Violence

Our pets and the things that we care about

Euthanized, when finally they must go out

The animals too that supply us with meat

They too we mercifully treat

But we, our lives do not matter

Our flesh, bones, brains and blood

Splattered and scattered

Other’s having their bodies injured and maimed

Not because they did anyone wrong

Rather the cycle of violence to prolong

In the name of religion and ideology

And like pawns in a game of chess

We are sacrificed at others behest

While each side on the other violence inflict

By virtue of arms the world to bring to its heels

For the one death flies unseen in the skies

And to the other strapped to the chest and thighs

No safety at a funeral saying to a loved one goodbye

Or at a concert satisfying the soul’s delight

Each side gloating on the mayhem inflicted on the other

For we no longer belong to the human race

Neither are we any longer brothers

There is no prospect of the violence to cease

Or hope of a negotiated peace

The cycle of violence will continually grow

Each attempting to deal the other a deadlier blow

And we to our own our lives matters

But unfortunately not to the other

© Prince W Bradford 2017