Studying War

…or not…on U.S. Veteran’s Day 2021

Thank you, Pixabay, for this “no attribution required” image of the pristine glove holding the at-rest bayonet.

Let history seal
the pain and heal
with salves of why
and freedom’s feel.

All soldiers and
their bayonets:
The means of war
and peace’s debts.

War’s brain admits
insanity.
Peace’s heart grasps
humanity.

Respect the past —
its bloodying.
To us, U.S.
no studying.

NOTE: In 1963, musician Pete Seeger called up the past and let it sing out of the baggage where oppression and freedom coexist. The first person who said, “I ain’t goin’ study war no more,” is another kind of “war hero.” War waged against fear, oppression, and polarization costs the very humanity for which it “fights.” Listen to Seeger’s various levels of voice and wait until the end of the video when most people in attendance add their voices to his.