The War is Dead, Long Live the War

The message came down the wire….....
The war is over

Joy rang out
Breath collective took it all in and passed it all out and away
for forever this time, they said and held
the creaks and moans of the war weary turned to celebration

But ghosts lingered and knew not what to do
and so the crumbs of folly fell on the bed sheets of man
and serene sleep came not
tossing and turning
restless
and unhealed
uncertain
scared and fearful
it was assured
that our most wretched specters of misunderstanding
would once again
one day
and soon
mettle in reverse alchemy
and turn this our precious golden rule to mere lead
poisoning the well
calling out to the irrational primal madness
and sow to reap again the bitter seeds of war