peace in our time

Peace in our Time


I have no fear standing by the open window
where I live there are no snipers around and
no tank shells punch big holes in my house,
and I can drive into town buy an evening
paper without being shamed at a checkpoint
by soldiers who take glee in doing that since
I’m not like them

I heard the rifle shot that killed a twelve year
in her home, a bullet in her chest, it took her
three hours to die, the sniper must be proud
of himself, he’ll surely be suitable promoted.
The Middle East is not that far from here, and
for each time we look away in silence the war
is coming nearer our shores.