Jay Mandeville (February 16 / Kansas City, Missouri USA)

when war was first invented,
it was jealous of
the bridegrooms -
it left envious ruins
in place of wedding blooms

conflict after conflict
war bestowed in blood
on the countenance of beauty
destruction's kiss
delivered to flame the tears
of daughters and favoured sons -
their blessed vows cast down

ambitious for power
war made justice blind
to the spirit's essence
dispossessed with dark funds
the fruitful eloquence
of a peaceful life well led -
ransacked each ripening season
of mated loves, and callously
murdered the wedding doves