“Mortal Conflict”
(c)2010 Bob Atkinson
was hard work when they found
camps of those who dug in the ground
rage gave them strength of ten
used it to give the land a rest
on to the next fire where light eyed demons
laughed and drank whiskey from a bottle
then lost their lives from rifle shot
dying well under old age, no gray hair
no letters home, not one page
when the bear is attacked and killed
one expects to get scratches here and there
and scratched a few were from this life
over and over some lost their lives
they were in the right, it mattered not
who was injured, who was fallen
pride and good were on their side
in their minds was order given them
not their decision or their first passion
not their decision or their first passion
then again, on the other hand
those who were attacked by this band
felt security ripped from their lives
no way to stay alive when warriors
shot them in their tents while sleeping
papers had printed the word
on this land were just plain fools
who believed violence wasn't how
to quiet the way natives behaved
words said it wouldn't stop
until all red men had died
armies of gallant men
were needed for settlers' protection
who was right in this argument?
who conformed to the good and nice
simple answer to that simple question
depended upon which side you were born
a fact of nature's way
defines the laws of order
is the cause of mortal conflict
and constant killing
which makes one sick
simple thoughts for simple minds
give "us" the very best side
the side of which "God" is on
when we open up our books
and for "them" there isn't doubt
"they" aren't good here abouts
"they" are the ones at fault
keeping in our throats our hearts
who is "them" and who is "us"
well, that begs the question
who are "you?" where were "you" born?
what were you taught when "you" were young?
because if "you" were different than me
then "you" are "you" and not "we"
"you" live in the green house
down the block
when tan houses house the best
"you" part your hair on the right
not on the left as good people might
"you" hang on to language of which you're proud
and talk with words "we" don't understand
"you" read the book we use each Sunday,
in a language "we" don't know,
that teaches us which path to take
the words we use in our church
when on our knees with open book
but, it is not the book "we" use
so it can't be confused
with that which teaches "us" to say
give to others what " you" might take
we say loud the words
we say them clear
not thinking of their inner meaning
"them" and "us" as we pray
are those words of pride and hate
defines the laws of order
is the cause of mortal conflict
and constant killing
which makes one sick
simple thoughts for simple minds
give "us" the very best side
the side of which "God" is on
when we open up our books
and for "them" there isn't doubt
"they" aren't good here abouts
"they" are the ones at fault
keeping in our throats our hearts
who is "them" and who is "us"
well, that begs the question
who are "you?" where were "you" born?
what were you taught when "you" were young?
because if "you" were different than me
then "you" are "you" and not "we"
"you" live in the green house
down the block
when tan houses house the best
"you" part your hair on the right
not on the left as good people might
"you" hang on to language of which you're proud
and talk with words "we" don't understand
"you" read the book we use each Sunday,
in a language "we" don't know,
that teaches us which path to take
the words we use in our church
when on our knees with open book
but, it is not the book "we" use
so it can't be confused
with that which teaches "us" to say
give to others what " you" might take
we say loud the words
we say them clear
not thinking of their inner meaning
"them" and "us" as we pray
are those words of pride and hate
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