E t h i o p i a

What is to be done, concerning Ethiopia,
    their war and its victims?  Not the victims of combat,
    the drought victims, the poor starving double victims,
    of war and nature.

It is good that the nations of the world
    send their food and medical supplies.

But how pitiful a statement on some human nature,
    that a handful of rebels and government policy makers
    had rather see their kindred suffer and die
    than yield their abstract concepts of territorial disputes.

Food as a weapon of war.  Do the rebels feel the pains of hunger?
Do the government officials wither away into dust?
Do either cry over a child's short life?
   The rebels take what food they want.
   The officials dine out at some city restaurant.
   This weapon of food hurts them little.

But alas, what of the simple people who want only to eat.
   The officials won't give them food,
   even after a three day walk.
   They don't want to create another refugee camp,
   full of disease and still dying people.
   They won't send them food for fear
   it will fall into rebel control.
   The rebels, they, with little doubt,
   would steal food from the starving.

Still it's good that others send food,
   even though it sits in warehouses, or is it?
   What of the next time and place, will others remember
   the lack of good their efforts did and not send any?

Perhaps it would be better remembered that more direct effort
   against opposing parties was a more effective weapon.
Let rebel leaders and government leaders learn
   the effects of war, up close and personal.
Let the soldiers and officials tend
   to the personal needs of starving and dying.
When the pettiness of their dispute is strong
   within their minds and hearts,
   let the food be sent and be more gratefully received.