31
The root of violence
Is an insistence
That what is ... should be as
The internal foe would have it
The internal foe is also named ego
Insatiably famished
Those ego-enslaved
Dominators
Flaunters
Braggarts
Will grasp land, power, and riches
Wrapping the fallen
In brightly-colored flags
So the remaining
Will not notice the blood
One who rules by the Tao
Does not rule at all
He sees that blood
Is wrapped in flesh
That flags are blankets
Not death-shrouds
The master understands
Nation exists for the people
Not the people for the nation
Domination and control
Are but delusions of time
There is no ruling the Tao
Do what you can
Because you can
Not for greatness
Your flag
your flesh
your soul
Is the Tao
***
Words and Images are my own. 31 is published in 81, Poems from the Tao and available in paperback or digital through amazon and your local libraries and bookstores. Click on any title below to further explore and support my writing.
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