Has War A Name? Poem by Roula Pollard

We should have been asked
"do we identify with war? "
Do we? We do not. We never did.
We should have been asked if we permit you,
war lords, to kill people, destroy their land and
the environment. Have we? We have not, never.
We should have been. Do you allow us
to destroy cities, countries, people's lives, the hopes and expectations of their souls?
Have we been asked? No. Why?
Do we agree, do we identify with wars' destruction? No.
We should have been asked: Do you allow us
to use chemical weapons? Have you asked us?
No. Why not? We do not agree with the lords of war.
we did not consent to the destruction of lives, countries
and continents. We should have asked, who are you?
Is there a law of humanity justifying war crimes?
Have we been asked if we allow the commission of
war crimes? We have not. We do not allow you
to commit any crime against humanity.
I am a poet, we are poets and we are pacifists.

© Roula Pollard