love vs war

a man once said
much wiser than i
"Make love, not war"
and in my mind's eye

i think about the wisdom
of words such as these
and the realization comes
that sometimes you can't appease

those who would hurt others
to make us all believe
as they do, one god,
but they deceive

with one tongue they speak
and their words sound noble
freedom, honor, courage, god
these ideas resound global

but with the other tongue
speaks the message, hidden deep
deceive, convert, sneak, hide
themes thru which tragedy seep

for, truely, what are
these men fighting for
but the age-old question
the ancient lure

of despots, dictators,
all oppressors of men
"Fight for me and you will have
paradise in Heaven!"

"Fight for God, and country
and God will reward you!"
but it is a lie
as men often do

the self serving greed,
more power, more land,
more money, more people,
the new arise, the old disband

and so it goes
around and around
for thousands of years
and none hear the sound

it seems to me
that God must be weeping
all of this, in His Name
and not at all in keeping

with His message
up there on the hill
"Love thy fellow man
and get into Heaven you will!"

such simple words
so easy to do
so why is it so hard
for me and you?

i dont know the answer
i hope we find
the key to the riddle
He's locked deep in our mind

"Make love, not war"
perhaps thats it
so simple, so concise
a perfect fit.