In Full Heart

If we in full heart,
Absent threat and fear
Not compelled to choose
Our own side —
Which too many now
Deem a sin —
But if I am not for
Myself, who will be for
Me? —
I too would march and yell
“Ceasefire” or better
“Stop, stop, stop!”

How I want this to stop,
But stopping now is not
Stopping, for to stop now
Will allow, of this I am sure,
More, or worse, or much
Worse, later.  We do 
Not cherish victory —
As much as we need
Victory, and thus demand
Victory, for without
Victory, later, worse,
Of this I am sure.

But neither threat
Nor fear is absent, regardless
Of the stiff upper lip and
Steeled courage and resolve.

These are not our prayers,
Nor our dreams, no heroic
Manly deeds charge the 
Imagination.
Let this end at its right
And proper time, with
Threats and fears, 
If not erased, at least
Reasonably eased and
Let each go and
Tend her vine and fig-tree
Under God’s peaceful wings and
Shelter.
At last, and finally.