Autumn

God whispered in George Bush’s ear.

Then came shock and awe.

The war president strutted in triumph.

Now two and a half years have passed.

American troops have been dying steadily

Like water dripping from an autumn leaf.

Two thousand American troops are dead.

Not many compared to the Iraqi dead

Or to the scattered leaves of autumn.

But it is two-thirds of those who died on 9/11.

These deaths are used to justify the next deaths.

And on and on, while anguished cries of grief

Echo through this darkened land.

While rain-soaked autumn leaves keep falling.