The Warning Of Tombstones Poem by Laurence Overmire

If force is your weapon of choice
Be prepared to completely obliterate your opposition

Anything less will be insufficient
To stanch the hatred of those
Who yet live in resistance
Pouring from their wronged souls
So much blood
The Earth itself will groan in rage
For retribution

No right is given the aggressor
Wrong commits wrong
Choose wisely, whatever peaceful mean
Is given, take
Only in defense, prepare to kill
Your children.


(Previously published in Poets Against the War Anthology, Feb 2003)