It Is My Fond Hope Poem by Raymond Farrell

It is my fond hope
That someday
In the not too distant future
When the politicians
And their ilk
Undrape the flags
And beat the drums of war
Stoke the fires of nationalism
Give lip service to freedom
Democracy and liberty
And extol the virtue
Of courage in battle
And hound and agitate
The youth
Trying to get them
To put their lives on the line
Pushing them
To join the ranks
To march and take orders
To kill people
They've never met
And with whom
They've had no quarrel
It is my fond hope
That when the war
Is finally declared
Not one
Single solitary soul
Shows up.