The Blood Will Not Wash Off (October 1973)

by Marc Mangel

 

We are in midst of war

the sounds of war and

the blackness, or the flashes

surround all of us

the colors and limps of war

are without us and within us

we are truly in the midst of war

gruesome and cruel

insensitive and blind

war

but when —

but when peace will come

or when silence at least will come

then our souls

will be at war

for the blood will not

wash off our hands

nor will it wash off anyone’s

hands

the blood of haughtiness

the blood of selfrighteousness

the blood of bigotry

the blood of thoughtlessness

the blood will not wash off

it will stay

that blood will stain our

clothes and the clothes of our

children

we may try

indeed for a thousand years

but the blood will not

wash off

the blood of conceit

the blood of deception and of selfdeception

the blood of intransigence

the blood will not wash off

and if

when that peace does finally come

we sit and talk and

make a good peace

that peace too will be

stained wityh blood

and the blood will not wash off

 

October 1973