Who is the Foe?

Who is the foe in a senseless war?

It can't be the child who is lying there

In crumpled heap;

Of a murderous foe it was unaware

When it fell asleep.

The child did nothing but bless the world 

Until cannons roared and shrapnel hurled

With a joyous song --

Swift death along.

Who is the foe in a senseless war?

It can't be the mother who nursed the child

In the little room,

When suddenly the air ran wild

With crackling doom,

She never offended with word or thought;

When out of the sky,

Some horrifying demon brought

An end to her lullabye.

Who is the foe in a senseless war?

It can't be the father with anguished face,

Now looking on aghast;

Standing there in the garden place,

Where death has passed.

The flowers he grew along the fence

Lie weeping . . . sad;

But it makes a sorrowful recompense

In a world gone mad.

Who is the foe in a senseless war?

It can't be the soldier with bayonet

On yonder hill

Who is killing a man he has never met

Nor had wished to kill.

There isn't a trace of war's black hate

In the frozen stare

Of men who come to devastate--

Now lying there.

(First published in Along the Lane: Dedicated to the memory of Thomas William Larsen, who lost his life in World War II)