Wretched, ruggèd and raggèd, ruined within, without
Lowliest gleaming, jaggèd utterings meek — they're seeking Truth
In deceitful disguises, population that rises; foolish youth!
Etched in the heart and mind, but conflicting plagues of doubt.

Predator pounces, devours, driving the herd to rout;
Sepulcred innocence, bigoted times intense, prophets lying sooth;
Splattered walls, painted in deep blood, art by claw and tooth —
Knife, gun, bullets rattle, children drenched deep in battle, and civility's shout!

War cries turned to wailing, fallen bodies flailing,
Seconds of brief dread silence, interwoven with shells
That pound the ground, drowned sound of the screaming souls in hells;

Smoke and smog, fires flaring, the jets that they are trailing
Rush off, soaring to distant lands, as violence ever swells;
Nations bought, fraternal rot, profits as the coffin sells...