Sunday, December 30, 2012

TO THE DEAD


by Sarah Edwards




They say
you died for something noble

flag
cause
defense
revolution
greater good

They say
you died for something gained.

ground
territory
respect
equality
justice

But if you are a child
they say
this time you died for nothing
except my right to kill you

before you learn nobility and gain,
before you get a chance to choose
what is worth dying for


Rev. Sarah Edwards is a retired clergyperson in the United Church of Christ.  She is active in the North Carolina Poetry Society, is a student of poetry at Duke University and the poetry of life.