The Wars Prayer

It is now a time of great and exalting deception
Whole world is fed up with arms,
Whole world is fed with alms
All the wars of the world are won,
Without a bullet being shot
In every breast burns the truth fire
Global patriotism; new word order
Drums beating,
Under every bridge in every city
Houseless men and women without a kitty
Bands playing, toy pistols popping,
Bunched firecrackers hissing and spluttering
Fireworks every fourth of July
On every hand five fingers of friendship.

Wade In
Alex Out!

far above Ascending gables
balconies overflowing fluttering flag fables
endless con-inferences at naked empeROARS tables
while far below flashing SONS
wilt under truth or consequences of various possAbles
dayLies report "REMEMBER THE LAST WAR!!!"
convincing young brainwashed volunteers
to march as Reaper sows wide avenue gay and fine
thinking they are having fun
Iraqi Iranian Islamic Nun
in their new uniforms
proud fathers, mothers, sisters, sweethearts cheering
voices choked with happy emotion
as they swing by

Wade Out!
Alex In..

nightly packed masses
meetings listened, panting, to patriot oratory
stirring deepest depths of hearts,
cyclones of applause, tears running
down their cheeks while in churches
political halls pastors preached devotion to flag and country,
invoking God's of Battles
beseeching Infinite Lemon aid
good cause outpourings fervid eloquence
moving every listener to Octodragon
glad and gracious time
billion dozen rash spirits venturing disapproval of war
cast unborn doubt upon righteousness
straightway stern and angry warning
personal safety's sake quickly shrinks invisible
offend no more in that way

Sonday mourning came -- next day battalions
leave for the front
churches filled with pennies
volunteers are here
young faces alight martial dreams
visions stern advance
gathering momentum
rushing charge, flashing sabers
flight of foe,
tumult enveloping smoke
fallen towers of Babylon
fierce pursuit
surrenderthe King of Iran!