The war machines are ready;
The men are in full gear.
Why do we hate our fellow man?
Why do we live in fear?

I hear men speak of human rights
In voices loud and clear,
But when the armies start to march,
I see not what I hear.

The armies of the world are great.
I've heard it said before,
That they could kill the human race
A hundred times or more.

I do not understand just why
Our treasurers we so spend,
In trying to annihilate,
This world of "loving" men.

Why do we speak of love and such,
But carry on like this?
Why do men long for peace so much,
Yet speak with upheld fists?

Why can't we do away with hate,
And rid ourselves of fear?
Why can't we live the words we speak,
And draw our neighbors near?

- Charles Edwards Moss

Note from the author: "The following poem is the first I can recall ever writing. I wrote it at a time when everyone thought a nuclear holocost might occur at any moment and bring human life on Earth to an abrupt end.
I simply could not understand.

[Written around 1970]

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