20160520 (CO Day)

International Conscientious Objectors' Day -- May 15   One day we will not study war. 

A little knowledge is not just

A dangerous thing, it is that

“Blessing in disguise” which

In many ways seems more

A cross than a blessing.

Unable to satisfy oneself with

Cheap and facile explanations

For which the masses are able

Quickly to settle and move on

In untormented certainty, the

Graced are troubled always with 

Valid points on the other side

Of the issues. Their certainties

Are more like reasonable gambles

Tinged with the fear that we may 

Not have gotten things right after

All, so take our opinions with a

Grain of salt despite the fact

We are experts in our fields and

Have mulled these subjects for 

Years before setting pen to paper.

The much vaunted ignorance

Which is bliss is forever forbidden

Us. The convicted (no pun 

Intended) may be powerful,

Wealthy, strong, beautiful,

And the devoted who quite 

Happily lead the willing masses

Astray with their simplistic

Solutions, the easy black-and-

White distinctions that invariably

Fail, wreaking inconceivable

Misery as they prosper. Who 

Dictated they should be the 

Charismatic and we who have

Greater insight but more guarded

Promises are deemed mindful,

Hesitant, tentative, to the point 

Of Hamlet’s indecision? You 

Asked for my best thoughts then

Condemn me for my cautions?

Leave the heads on your enemies,

In fact hear them out. You may 

Learn a great deal. Be slow to

Do what cannot be undone. We’ve

Been wrong before. Don’t throw

The switch. Don’t flip the lever.

Don’t swing the axe. Don’t pull

The trigger. Don’t press the button.

Don’t even join up or put on

The uniform. Don’t give them

Reason to think they can count

On you for dirty work that keeps

Their hands clean and leaves you

With unforgiving dreams. God 

Told you to kill? Are you sure?

What you know for certain is 

"Thou shalt not kill." Sell 

Your war stocks. Close your 

Black Sites. Relinquish your

Flags—burn them if you have

To to convince them you would

Rather stand your ground in love

And die than yield to another’s

Hate and live with a crushed

Conscience.

c. J.S.Manista, 2016