and the parson
on the village green
greets the people
and blesses them
with peaceful images
of an all encompassing
eternity

and the parson
senses in the shadows
ominous and deadly ...rumblings
masters of slavery
and lusted hatefilled afternoons
invading
his time and space

but he keeps on smiling
on the village green
for the souls of his people
must feel "the peace"

but then the WAR
comes to the village green
and the parson, in horror
sees the building flames
destroy the village
and the people
and the sense of
eternal peace
and the parson himself
and his faith

and now it has happened
to the village green
and the WAR itself
what did it mean?
NOTHING!
NOTHING BUT DESTRUCTION
to each and every thing

(and the parson
on the village green
greets the people
and blesses them
with peaceful images
of an all encompassing
eternity)

AMID THE WAR SONGS
AND THE FLAMES