War

All these bleary eyed kids

could go fight a war
when they are prepared to die:

it happens all too soon.

So instead of candle-light vigils
in public parks
mothers sobbing into handkerchiefs at funerals
and counseling for classmates

there could be medals on caskets

and stories that fall
out of old men's mouthes
as if they are coughing up dust

Then while the other children
grow and bend
they'll swear it all meant something

they'll swear it all wasn't
just
being
selfish