When Washington Goes to War

When Washington Goes to War
by Tom Flannery copyright 2008

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He's standing at his gate
with his only carry-on
stuffed with things his kids had packed
to remember when he's gone
smiles and nods from passers-by
all looking up to him
a hero without portfolio
dressed in fighting trim

A woman cries when dawn breaks
as she looks out the front door
her little girl slips up behind
said mamma why you crying for
she never says she just picks her up
rubs the sleep from her eyes
kisses the tip of her nose
as another young boy dies

When Washington goes to war
the big guns all come out
on display in front of microphones
where they express no doubt
that the fight taken to the enemy
with God on our side
will advance the cause of freedom
and fill us all with pride

A congressman wakes from a dream
of his child caked in mud
screaming when he sees himself
covered in someone's blood
his pillow caked in dried sweat
he reaches for a pill
washes it down with vintage port
from supporters on the hill

There's a man who left his childhood
in the jungles of Viet Nam
warming his hands by a fire
until the cops say move along
spends his days at the wall
no one pays him any mind
just another worn out hippie
fretting what he left behind

When Washington goes to war
the flag flies from every door
keeping up with the Jones's
being spoon fed the score
hand over a restless heart
stock still to recite the pledge
meetings in smoky back rooms
and meetings on the ledge

There's a kid fresh out of high school
college a million miles away
told he could see the world
if he signs up today
but warm bodies soon grow cold
in the desert late at night
while Washington she slumbers
the covers pulled up tight

When Washington goes to war
the big guns all come out
on display in front of microphones
where they express no doubt
that the fight taken to the enemy
with God on our side
will advance the cause of freedom
and fill us all with pride