The Wrath Of Missiles

A missile obliterates a plane almost three hundred
will never see home in airspace over a combat zone
still wondering why it was flying over such a conflict laden spot
doesn't ease the pang since the passengers
were probably all civilians
who have are as connected to the region
as Justin Beiber is to good music
the world cringes

The same day Gaza is bombarded by a multitude of missiles
most bracket the night sky
I have no idea how many babies and mothers will cry
response to earlier destruction emanating from opposition
is the two state solution a mirage
I can't answer for sure yet this time the reaction is mixed
frustrated Israelis joyous and cheering

Now the copout of missiles is they dehumanize
both the sender and the receiver
can be sent from the ground, water, or air
need not be in the vicinity to see the havoc
and despite modern technology war combatants
are never the only casualties

Although not an advocate of solving problems with a gun
at least their is some semblance of a personal connection
some individual slight to be avenged
and in the days before manufactures of death
were able to sell automatic weapons everywhere
mass shooting were far and few between
more frequent was the duel

So while I understand the high tension
when humankind has proceeded to settling
conflicts with death
I still am washed over by sorrow when a missile
claims lives
whether in the Ukraine, Iraq, Israel, or Palestine
for no missile ever influenced people
as humanely as
the ukulele of Jake Shimabukuro
the banjo of Pete Seeger
the three octave vocal range of Joan Baez
or the baritone of Paul Robeson