Bearing Witness to the Times: The True Story of War

Tanks line up for the parade in Pyongyang on Saturday. (AP Photo)

"North Korea parades military might and warns US amid nuclear test fears"

(Headline from The Guardian)

"Trump lauds 'successful' bombing in Afghanistan"

(Headline from The Hill)

The True Story of War

Refugees tell the true story

Of leaders’ declarations of might.

After seeking shelter

From bombs and marauders,

They leave desolation behind

Hoping to carry on.

What hopes do they carry

With the few things gathered in their bags?

Will children play?

Will the ground be steady?

Will families reunite in foreign lands?

Or will they simply survive

To look for hope on another day?

Refugees tell the true story

Of a world where life struggles to maintain

Amid the rubble scattered

By presidents and generals

Who live in opulence and greed;

Who trade in proud speeches and intrigue.

Those who find peace

Avoid the brutal boot heels of victory,

Or find shelter and sustenance

From kind souls who do the penance

For a nation at war.

Even now

Refugees wait,
Stranded as it were,

Between desolation and hope

While egocentric heads of state

Test new bombs

That may swell the ranks

Of refugees who tell the true story of war.

                                                                             ~ CK

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Donald Trump lauded the bombing of ISIS targets
in Afghanistan on April 13 (Getty Images)

 North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un applauds during
parade in Pyongyang on  April 15 (AP Photo)

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