Casualty

I am the civilian
Shot in the back of the head
For arguing against the general
For taking my brother away.

I am the renegade
With nowhere to go.
I’m an enemy by choice
And by association.

I am the survivor
Of a bomb-wrecked home.
Here, take this flower, while
I pull the trigger of the bomb under my shirt.

I am the unwilling soldier,
Shot at for my association,
Shooting back just to live
For just as long my ammunition lasts.

I am the weapon retailer,
Making a profit from both sides.
Double-dealing because of my own greed,
And quest for power.

I am the civilian,
Sitting in ignorance of what’s really happening.
Trusting the reporters when they say
The casualties have lowered.

But, there are still casualties.