Violence, slaughter, atrocities of war
– what’s the worst one can do to another?
Aggressors bent on unevening the score,
the awful triumph of self over other.
What spoils of blood outvalue peace,
that makes love worthy to ignore?
If this be not the nature of the beast
it’s sickened by some viral spore,
endemic now: will they succumb,
till hate’s the last-man-standing law?
Harmony’s dumb, kindness numb,
the golden apple rotten to the core.
The medicine of compassion tried –
what wisdom cure can turn this tide?
Verses of Five 