Gone Is The Tongue

Gone is the tongue

That could speak of truth -

Second casualty of war,

For the first is youth.

Gone is the tongue

That could send a warning

For it was cut out and flung

Into the crowd’s cat calling.

Gone is the tongue

That could shout dissent,

For it is split in two

And can only ascent.

Gone is the tongue

That could wag for change

For it hangs limp as a flag

And is smeared in blame.

Gone is the tongue

That could speak of tyranny

For a bullet in the head

Is the legacy of infamy.

Gone is the tongue

That could sing life’s praises

For all songs to be sung

Have since been erased.

Gone is the tongue

That could tell us when to stop,

For we send them off to war

And bring them home to shop.

Gone is the tongue

That could truly speak of love.

For gone is the heart

To fill it full of blood.

© shaun patrick green 2011