What church-bells or calls to prayer by the muezzin

For these young men who kill themselves?

      — Only the monstrous hypocrisy of the media

Can call attention to this national blood-loss of young lives

No mockeries now for them from politicians who do not care; 

      Only the voice of the mothers whose sons are no longer there —

Only black and white boys' photographs and quiet prayers;

      Recall the lives of those who were repelled by the living nightmare

 

Of modernity. No candles shine for the loss of these young lives

      Look into their eyes as they pass your way

And you will see the holy glimmer of goodbyes

As sure as suicide in the trenches did a hundred years ago.

And we must learn to value our rough young men

As much as we do the sacrifices of their great-grandfathers.