“Coming To Terms With Terms” [War – Sub Series Number One – Reflections on Timothy Snyder’s Book, On Tyranny – Poem #17 – Chapter 17]

A word is such a powerhouse,
Depicting hero, saint, or louse –
“Extremist”, “Terrorist with plots”,
“We saved the day – prevented lots –

“Of buddies from disrupting peace”
(Though not defined), we’re on our knees
As we are cowered in our chairs
By evil tyrants from there lairs.

“Inclusiveness”, “Compassion-talk”,
Was what they used in former walk
Through Valley of the shadow there –
A power-play behind such scares.

Protected testicles of men
Still lost it all two women, then,
They spent their few remaining days
Castrated through such power plays.

So who gained freedom in that fight?
I did – but still, it was not right
That they should gain triumphal win
By means of quasi-legal sin.

My job back there? To do my task –
Blow hole in prison as you asked;
I did – though not the dynamite;
I asked around – got placement right.

As I look back, two decades hence,
And ponder loss of recompense,
That’s partly what is problem now –
That somehow You that loss allowed.

“Look, Stu, get off the perch, okay?
I got you out another way;
And it’s not over by a mile –
Sit down, shut up, observe a while.

Thanks Lord for this.

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