Why are they here,
invading our land?
Who asked them to come—
this ruinous band?
They denigrate our shrines
and our crops are destroyed.
Our houses are burned
wherever they are deployed.
How can we fight
against their bombs
and warplanes?
Wherever they go,
they wound, kill and maim.
Dire Straits
By Lawrence William Langman
—Portage, IN
If you look into the eyes of an angel,
what is it you will see?
You will see a universe that spans
from sea to deepest sea.
If you look into the eyes of a child,
what is it you will see?
You will see the heart of an innocent,
one that you should never leave.
If you look into the eyes of animal,
what is it you will see?
You will see the freedom of a species,
running wild and running free.
Those eyes are the windows to the souls,
with beating hearts beneath their chests.
We are creatures of this planet,
and we stand high above the rest.
Intellect and passion,
we human beings possess.
We need to show compassion,
so we can pass this vital test.
Our world has turned into turmoil
right before our eyes.
The destruction and the killings
have made every statue cry.
If you look into your own eyes,
in that mirror you stand before,
can you live with yourself tomorrow,
knowing what that flag stands for?