Angels in Wartime

author's note:

Those better angels of our nature can be so irritating.


ANGELS IN WARTIME

As I sat overhead on a branch
and watched the enemy creep
through the woods in search of me
I noticed

a certain dread in his step

and by feeling his feeling, again felt
that horrified angel
I try so hard to ignore--

bruised but strong
within my thin armor.

Once again
I tried to stifle its tears

and once again grew frustrated
at a tenderness so stubborn

and so, once again
redirected this conflict
by pointing my anger at the enemy below--
I raised my bow...I aimed my arrow

but when I again saw the dread
in that man's step
I again felt my angel
and realized
though I've killed many
that which I wish to destroy still lives

and will continue to weep
until I stop this dreadful killing.

But how can I stop
when my opponent won't?
How can I change him?--I can't!

Unable to answer my dilemma
I then began to climb--
hoping a greater height
would lead to greater insight.

But so far, I only know
what I've seen before:

the dread in the step
of so many men

which tells me:
they feel as I feel
they really don't want to kill--
they too have an angel.

Maybe some who fight don't
but I've seen enough dread
for me to have hope.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
My War for Peace: poetry ebook

Empathy for Three

author's note:

Today, in the U.S., we honor our military veterans.

I say: we're all veterans, of one type or another.


EMPATHY FOR THREE

One night while standing in line
I heard a man behind me say
with a sneer:

he's fallen again

and felt a surge of empathy
for someone I did not know

but I knew his pain--
you see, I've fallen too

a few times
or maybe more
than a few

and like that guy
been criticized
while still down

if not by someone else
then by myself--
yeah, I can be quite critical of me.

So I think I know something
about that critical man in line--
I believe his sneer belies
anger at some part of himself
he deems weak.

The pain behind his anger
is pain I know, so now
I also feel empathy for him.

Maybe my empathy
is merely self-pity
projected outwards.

But if so, that's okay
because

when I see myself
in those two mirrors
I want to help them both

and when I want to help them both
I want to help all three of us

and when I want help the three of us
I want to help the whole damn world.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
40 New Fables: ebook

No More Acts of God

author’s note:

“Tonight‘s forecast...dark.”
          -- George Carlin


NO MORE ACTS OF GOD

I say we stop
blaming our gods or God
for "Acts of God".

As the flood waters rise
and the winds try to rip us apart
better to admit:
it's our own damn fault.

With the sword stroke of those words
we can reclaim our power.

When our patient angels
see us using our strength
they'll cease their weeping

and lift us as we work
to save this world
from the flaws of our species.

© 2018, Michael R. Patton
I'm Responsible: a pessimistic optimist responds to the trouble of his times