I wonder, if I was to wait for an apology, how long would I have to wait?
And I wonder, could it be that they know how very great the devastation 
left behind is and pride keeps their thoughts silent?
Or would you believe the latter:
That they truly are ignorant to the damage done, that they could possibly 
believe it has all changed you for the better?
They made you men in a time for the meek, gave you the skills to get 
through life?
Could they believe you didn't bring it home with you, perhaps you left it 
behind you, buried in the sand amongst the guns, tanks, chemicals, and 
the dead?
Could they believe you are stronger due to the events inspired by their 
choices?
Maybe they honestly don't know that they owe me an apology.
Either way an apology I'll never get.

I will never be told "I am so sorry ma'am, we made the wrong choice.   
Our greed and our pride cost you his life.   I am sorry ma'am, that we 
did nothing to heal and console those we caused to become ill, that we 
denied this plague even existed, swore it wasn't real.

I am sorry ma'am that we lied straight to their faces, we knew that they 
knew we were lying and still, we lied even more.

I am so sorry ma'am that we insist on appearing on our self made pedestal, 
but we always have and always will put this hierarchy's image first.   
What would we do if this nation was thought to be weak?  Lives could be lost.

I am sorry ma'am, that we had no respect for his life, that we used and 
abused him for our own needs to be fulfillled.  Our need to look superior 
in the face of all others.

Again ma'am, and from the heart, as repressed as it may be, I am terribly 
sorry ma'am, that the cold shoulder we gave him after he gave us his soul 
cost everyone else his beating, breathing life."










copyright 1998, Amanda Vossler
Used by permission