Isn’t it funny

that those Iraqis

are the ones appointed

to sacrifice themselves

to reveal us to ourselves?

Isn’t it contrary

that terrorists

are called to blood sacrifice

to pierce our armor

of self-command?

Isn’t it growing clearer

that that enemy

is someone that she loved,

that that casualty

is someone that she nursed,

that that liberated civilian

is ourself –

our false self

lying there – liberated

from this body of death called war?

4-9-03 pcraig