Peace, Liberty, and Love

this was inspired by the opening scenes of Casablanca - haven't seen the rest of the movie, though. A somewhat older piece than most of what's here.

 

Upon the steps of courts so grand

the marbled folds of Athena’s robes

the body falls, the blood stains

Justice’s pristine train.

 

Crackling shells, the screaming rockets

Hell’s unshackled screech of victory

Twisted metal in a heap, bomb blast and fire ball -

the writing on the wall, and bloodied human hearts below.

Above t’is shorn upon the stone,

our promises of peace, liberty, and love.

 

At the steps is sprawled, eyes a-staring

blood a-staining a tattered remnant of petty dignity.

He is dead, not for the sin of wanton games

but for wanting what he could not gain.

 

No Caesarean betrayal, never looking upon a friend;

no deception into suicide.

Less than ambition, more like a sacrificial dove;

shot through, prone as he beseeched yon Higher Law

his blood to cleanse none of these sins

and so Love forfeited was.

 

And above his mangled corpse,

our hand has shorn upon the stone

promises of peace, liberty, and love.

Reviews

[Andromeda]

this is amazing.
yup, Casablanca is one of the best movies ever. i loves it.