To Our Pacifists on Veteran’s Day

For once, let’s praise the men who wouldn’t fight,

the women on both sides who sang for peace,

the ones who stood against the tanks, that Might

would never be abused; that war might cease.

They have no flag, no sword, no honor guard,

no purple heart, no annual parade,

no list of names on a black wall, no yard

of marble crosses where their dead are laid.

They say that doves are weak and hawks are strong,

but who are braver than the few who stand

against their brothers when the cause is wrong,

accused of hating their beloved land?

With honor, then, remember all who taught

the best war is the one that’s never fought.