To Our Friend the Enemy

Here’s to our dear friend, the enemy
You make it easy to spit out our pride
We feel your knives at our back
You point out what we lack
But your weapons were made on our side.

Here’s to our good friend, the enemy
To distract from our dull, lucky lives
We go back to the front
With new quarry to hunt
We’ll shoot first and we’ll see who survives

We all take sides, and spend so much time building divides
It’s a long hard climb. Can we make it by closing our eyes?

Here’s to our old friend, the enemy
We switch out your picture each year
But you’ll still look the same
Neatly painted with blame
For everything we have to fear

Here’s to our close friend, the enemy
You may not have intended to hide
We’ll expose you each time
Claiming god loves our crimes
And has knelt down to pray for our side

We all take sides, and spend so much time building divides
It’s a long, hard climb. Can we make it by closing our eyes to the people outside?

Here’s to our dear friend, the enemy
Are you really a means to an end
For political might?
If the war torch stays bright
Will we still have a home to defend?
Embracing our arms
Hold our lives out of harm
From ourselves and our families and friends.

Copyright Tracy S. Feldman, All rights reserved