We Were Busy

They had it way back then,
even said as much, that
war is hell and unhealthy
for children and other
living things.

They said it, and we turned
our backs, indifferent, in
favor of buying Prada and
tabloids because enquiring
minds wanted to know the
latest shenanigans of Jagger
and Jeri, the rise and fall
of disco, took artists to court
trivialized words and meaning.

We were busy and technology
grew in leaps and bounds,
while battles turned stealth-
ridden and nothing is remembered
of the fairness in a street fight.

There will be no shootout at the
OK Corral, no 30 paces, no challenge
issued by the sheriff at high noon,
for the break of dawn.
So put your guns away.