There is no chance when evil walks,
to talk sense when wallets expand.
As grief to others brings profit and gain,
to those witless to wars extend.
Whose glee with gains from values lost,
blind to the suffering of others.
Recite that ‘Cause’ and ‘Purpose’ though false,
is all that they intended.
They do not plan at any stage,
to repair, replace or bring to cost.
Any or all that they destroy,
that is not of their conceptions boast.
The never will with shovel or spade, intend help in any way.
Nor clear rubble or to dig a grave,
lest it be seen as another's monument some day.
They are soulless,
they are hollow,
they are graceless,
they are empty,
that stain that does not leave.
Yet in the future they will expect your forgiveness at some point.
What you can do is look away, sow nothing in the least.
Diminish them by stepping back, reveal to them your standards.
And as they deserve serve them up distain.
Then saying nothing, see them as nothing.
With nothing to be acknowledged.
Forgive them maybe, if you think.
But if in chance you do,
Regardless on that day what is needed most of all,
You stand and be the taller of the two.
(Words and images, copyright Kevin Palmer 2022)