blood in the sand

counting back from 2007
to 2003
not by days
or hours
or moments, watching the news
in slippers and pajamas

counting back from 3,213
to a "Mission Accomplished"
not by events
or headlines
or sound bytes
in your car, on the radio

counting back by bodies
lined up in perfect proud rows
draped in red
white and blue
the sum of their parts and principles

counting back by lies

old men in neck ties
spreading fear and disregard
truth means nothing
when opportunity awaits

head down, the news is on
count on the talking heads
to forget the blacks
what have they got that we want?
Darfur is nothing to us

save the oil, save the day

blood in the sand
war?
no -- conflict
it's all conflict
support the troops!
support the troops!

and the coffins

blood on your hands
keep ignoring us
everything we say
and don't you dare

don't you dare
look us in the eye


-jkh