Arguing About the Tune

(by Michael Vakian)

There’s war in Iran
and I’m torn.

On one hand we have children
being shot in cars
because the people want
change

Young men executed
for waging war against God…

justification
for a holy man’s needs.

Mothers waiting outside prisons
phone calls that meet empty signals

burying a plot
with no body for memory.

All this I’ve taken from a day old paper
and articles that pop up on a screen.

I want so badly to help,
but what can one voice do
to change a government’s tune?

And on the other hand,
history too often
has shown the answer.

One voice can ignite a nation,
sharpen knives
beneath red hats

One voice can teach crowds
how to hate an entire religion.

To fuel the winds of war
so the rich can bleed the poor

And to bury truth
beneath the fog
of war
There’s war in Iran.

The world
keeps arguing
about the tune.