Trumped-up wars

“Obey me or die!”
the orange-haired man threatens the world.
“My drones know you’re home,
and my missiles don’t miss.
I’m Commander in Chief, CinC for short.
I’ll sink you into the sea, fry you crisp,
burn you to dust with the push of a button.
I’ll overthrow your governments,
strangle your economies,
jail your refugees.
I’m the trumpet of doom,
I’ll turn your land into a tomb!”

CinC, this may shock you,
but there are higher commanders than you,
and to Them we appeal for peace
and deliverance from you:

“Jaya Jaya, Vinayaka
Hara Kailash
Durga Rakshakari
Rudra Shanti
Vidjayante Taram

Protect us from the orange fire
of the orange demon
and all his NATO agents of orange.
Disembody these demons, vanish them,
banish them into the dungeon of perdition
their deeds have built for them.

Om namah Shivaya”

William T. Hathaway’s books won him a Rinehart Foundation Award and a Fulbright professorship. His novel Lila, the Revolutionary is a fable for adults about an eight-year-old girl who sparks a world revolution for social justice. Read other articles by William.