Christmas In Washington DC
T’is the month before Christmas
and in some other land
our children are dying
alone in the sand
it started with pride
a nation united
agreeing in stereo
wrongs would be righted
then days begat weeks
and our target seemed clouded
in misinformation
our actions were shrouded
our president told us
of victories won
but refused to acknowledge
when a man lost his son
then congress cried justice
with a pat on the back
but, they weren’t the targets
of brutal attack
the death toll was rising
at hostilities end
but all was ok
with more soldiers to send
and we paid our taxes
to line all their pockets
while they shipped our children
with bullets and rockets
now some have returned
to families and friends
carrying illness and pain
which sees no end
and he promised them health
while they followed with pride
but when they turned to collect
the promise belied
for while they were away
pawns in the game
he stole from the coffers
to foster his fame
it’s the price of a war
and we’ll be quite impartial
stealing from those
who we can courts-martial
he tells all the families
how proud they should be
that their loved ones are dying
to cement his legacy
and the tree is trimmed
in his big white house
he’s tucked away
the proverbial mouse
a feast for his family
with gourmet mints
and chestnuts roasting
at our expense
and what of the children
who shall never return
what did their total
sacrifice earn?
well you see that depends
were they worthy at all
there are categories
into which you must fall
you must be wealthy
you must be straight
if not, you surely
deserved your fate
for yours is to follow
and pay for this war
then sit in the shadows
and expect nothing more
for you’re really not equal
if you don’t fit the mold
you belong in the gutters
quiet and cold
do not expect justice
or equality’s light
but you can pay for a war
even die in the fight
and if you’re a player
in the new Bush war
if you’re a pawn
used to settle a score
then you have no voice
and no rights at all
you’re simply there
at his beck and call
if you should die
he says it’s God’s will
last time I checked
God said “thou shalt not kill”
and if you return
don’t expect much
thanks for the sacrifice
don’t stay in touch
so it’s a month before Christmas
and I’ve looked around
at the veterans freezing
to death on the ground
the have no money
so they have no right
and he’s taking their benefits
to further his plight
but we won’t sweat the small stuff
they pose no real threat
they’ve given their blood
their tears and their sweat
so now they mean nothing
their resources drained
if we stood up for them
what will we have gained
and lest we forget
that deviant crew
who believe they deserve
equality too
if you’re not straight
then you’re not worth concern
no matter your sacrifice
when will you learn
if you can’t conform
if you are sexually odd
you are less than subhuman
to President God
So Merry Christmas he’ll say
for publicity’s sake
and smile for the pictures
photographer’s take
and you’ll hear him exclaim
as he turns a deaf ear
I don’t care about you people
just vote for me next year.
(2002)
I spent many years working with the VA Hospital in Washington DC as an advocate and I saw soo many veterans wasting away while trying to avail themselves of what they were promised.
