If We All Die

Image by Veronica Valdova

If we all die, in the conflict that looms,

In this shadow of doom, where love never blooms,

Let those who follow in our wake,

Know that there lived a foolish people.

In the land of ancient sands and strife,

Where lives and dreams have paid the price,

More than 4000 innocent souls have soured on high,

In the endless, senseless Israeli-Gaza battle we sigh.

Nations take sides, their banners unfurled,

The West Israeled, Middle East Palestined,

In the name of justice, in a chaotic world,

But as we drift closer to the brink of war,

I ponder what our fightings are for.

In our foolishness, we drag the creator into this,

Islam for Palestine, Jewish for Israelis,

Divided between Israel and Palestine, others for themselves,

He that created life, is it not all important to him?

I ponder who our fightings are for.

We may all die, for our lives are at stake,

But should we not pause and introspect,

And ponder what we might reflect,

To those who follow in our wake,

The choices we make; the lives we take.

For if we all should cease to breathe,

And leave behind this legacy of woe,

Let the next human who walk the earth,

Learn from the foolishness of those who go.

May they not covet land and wealth,

Or draw lines that divide with stealth,

But treasure life, each soul and breath,

For in the end, it’s life that conquers death.

Let them build a world of peace and grace,

A place where all can find their space,

And it their hearts let it be clear,

Life’s value is what they should hold dear.

For without life, without this godly breath we hold,

What worth is land and gold?

Or borders that our history did unfold?

In the end, let’s hope we realize,

That life, every life, must be our prize.