Steven Schroeder | a war of necessity

A war of necessity is a war
the rich and powerful have chosen
to impose on the poor and oppressed,
whose children will be consumed by it.

The old will unfurl it
over the broken bodies of the young
without a second thought.

There will be praise songs.
Nobody will write them for the few
who say no at the beginning,
when we still can.

A war is a war is a war.
Sing nobody’s songs.

Chicago
12 March 2022