I Heard About the Helicopter Crash

I heard about the helicopter crash
that killed those men.

Like the war itself

It seemed so

far

away.

Just another grim statistic

in a war we shouldn't be fighting.

Then I heard it was your father

in that helicopter,

and I was asked to say a few words.

What do I say?

Do I speak of the immorality of war,

of this war?

Do I confess my complacency

in letting this war continue?

Was it my silence that led to his death

and the deaths of so many others?

Do I admire him for his bravery,

his sacrifice, his love?

(I have no doubt about these things.)

Do I simply put my arm around you

and say, "I am with you?"

When does the time for comforting
yield to challenging and confessing?

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