The Crime Is War Poem by Tom Higgins

A possible war crime, they say gas was used
And human rights have thus been abused.
What is the point of having a law
That fails to make a crime of war?

Why do we bother about the means
They use to kill other human beings?
What difference does it make
To the poor sods whose lives they take?

All methods of killing are equally bad
The victims mothers are equally sad.
So why do we not all demand
That all forms of warfare should be banned.

That of course is very naive of me
To think that there will ever be
Peace on Earth while there are men
To find a reason to kill again.

I think perhaps the answer lies
In the grey matter behind the eyes
Of some whose craving for power
Means that their every waking hour

Is used to plot and plan and scheme
How to fulfil their life long dream.
No matter how many they kill and maim
As they have no capacity for any shame.