Each time I read his nick

I remember our two countries

were in stalemate during my youth.



My government

wanted me to believe

that if we bested his to the moon

his citizens would forever be subjugated

to second rate status.



I knew but a little, certainly

one could not judge

with the equivalent of a space age

sporting event.



Now we are at it again,

suspicions well fed

by twenty-four hour

social media with nothing

but separatism on the brain.



Alex is my friend of choice,

neither he nor I selected the lands

reared within, enemies

do not care for one another

as brothers.



Be ****** the drama

of political intrigue,

I want more from our friendship

than the uneasy truce

of another era of detente.