The War Machines... (If) Poem by Eric Cockrell

the war machines
of the world,
spend enough money
every eight days,
to feed the hungry
of the world for a year!

what the hell are we thinking?
if we fed the hungry,
housed the homeless,
took care of the sick,
and gave everyone the chance
to work for a fair wage...
what would be left to fight for?

if we taxed the rich,
and brought down the concept
of different classes...
if we learned to consume
only what we really need,
and to put back more
than we take...

if we abolished the strongholds
of religions and nations...
and saw and treated each other
as equals...
if we quit worrying about
outer space, and explored
our inner spaces...
if...