Lament the fallen warriors.
Cry for those who spent their lives
in service to their homeland.
Weep with David,
"How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!" (2 Sam 1:27)
Mourn for every nation
that sends the prime of its youth
into inner and outer darkness,
the hell of fire,
the pit of Gehenna,
and cannot bring them back.
Lament the fallen warriors.
Cry for those who spent their lives
in service to their homeland.
Weep with Jeremiah,
"For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt,
I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?" (Jer 8:21-22a)
Mourn for every nation
that asks its young and poor to sacrifice
on behalf of the established and wealthy,
to be a balm and a salve
for the wounds of humanity,
and cannot bring them back.
Lament the fallen warriors.
Cry for those who spent their lives
in service to their homeland.
Weep with Jesus
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
the city that kills the prophets
and stones those who are sent to it!
How often have I desired
to gather your children together
as a hen gathers he brood under her wings,
and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34)
Mourn for every nation
that does not embrace its young
safely under wing,
but exposes them to the elements
before they can spread their own wings
and live to their full potential,
and cannot bring them back.
