The Cycle Must Cease

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The Cycle Must Cease
D.L. Lang

America’s bloodlust has not changed in 250 years.
War and terror are two sides of the same coin.
It doesn’t matter how many times you flip it.
Innocent people will be caught in the crossfire.

The death penalty will not resurrect victims.
It is vengeance wrapped in bureaucracy.
A murderous nation has no moral high ground.
Its officials are granted immunity for their bloodshed.

To broadcast an execution is a lynching.
Self-righteous and callous are the viewers.
Corporate sponsored firing squads.
Profiting from voyeurism is not justice.

We walk the tightrope of mercy and revenge.
Our system leaves no room for redemption,
enslaving the guilty and the innocent alike
rather than eliminate social ills sparking evil.

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D.L. Lang is an internationally published poet, author of 18 books, and former poet laureate of Vallejo, California. She is a member of the Revolutionary Poets Brigade and a four time Woody Guthrie Poet. Find her at poetryebook.com

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