Basic Lesson Poem by Bill Grace

When Jesus gives his basic lesson
‘'violence is not cool''
not just street kids
find it hard to learn.

A sergeant kills his colonel
VIOLENCE IS NOT COOL!
Terrorists strike New York and Paris
VIOLENCE IS NOT COOL!
The United States strikes Iraq
VIOLENCE IS NOT COOL!

So -
to:
the child crushing parent,
playground enthroned bully,
steel cutting tongue classmate,
pony tail hating cop,
VIOLENCE IS NOT COOL!

VIOLENCE IS NOT COOL!
a basic lesson
almost impossible to learn.
Let our violence
be no greater
than the periods
at the end of lines.