A Subtle Loss of Human Dignity

many are those who would strike a viper
with a stick
many many more are those that would snatch a child
from the crushing path of a steam roller

many are those who would build an army
to prevent the subjugation
of the weak
by the tyrannous
few are those who would volunteer a stranger
to die
for the financial gain of a third stranger

some are those who would fight a war
not for ideals but for short term
economic stability
a few more are those who would strive to defeat
a cabal
of impoverished hapless citizen rebels
with one trillion dollars of munitions
many more are those who would deeply regret
their bombs painted with the blood of housewives


few are those who would not strike a tyrant
with a sword
many are those who would not strike a child
with a rifle butt
even if it meant the loss of national status
as a dominant political power