Shall we strike with a sword?
Shall we crucify, terrify, vilify, war?
Shall we wound with our words?
Shall we seethe?
Shall we shame?
Shall we strike with a sword
or a fist
or a chain?
Shall we make them submit to our rule?
Shall we reign?
Shall we strike with a sword?
Shall we live by it, die by it,
crown it our god?
Shall we bow? Shall we break
every bow that we've made?
Shall we love a more excellent way?
Compellingly uncoerced,
casting out fear. Lay down arms,
forge new tools in the fire that consumes
every dross and illumines strange paths.
Plowshares strike only soil: till our hearts,
may the verdant grow wild.
