What now, what is evil?

I’m sure we can agree

if killing just one child is awful,

thousands more must be

evil’s outright apogee.

No problem pegging evil.

 

But how to deal with evil?

Find the men (we know

it’s mainly men). Pronounce those people

lowest of the low.

Blazon what they did, and show

those men to be pure evil.

 

Now, certain who is evil,

you’ve reason for a fight

utilising any lethal

armament to smite

those monsters, owning perfect right

to counter what is evil.

 

But if a man does evil,

is he an evil man?

And if he matches bad with equal

good, then what’s the plan?

If he loves his country, can

we call him good or evil?

 

And if he’s drubbed by evil

all his wretched life,

if it forged him on its anvil,

is that alone enough

to answer why he takes a knife

and carves an act of evil?

 

And if I look at evil

then quickly look away

afraid the rolling news retrieval 

of fact might spoil my day,

do I hold a right to say

I’m not condoning evil?

 

It’s known worldwide what evil

cut you to the core.

Although you’re fighting for survival,

prodded into war,

with right and might, and tanks, you’re sure

to vanquish what is evil.

 

But what if war on evil

leaves ten thousand dead,

mostly those too young or feeble

to run with those who fled,

the sand, your hands, your minds, stained red…

What now?  What is evil?