for this last day of soulful september’s blessingway walking the rainbow trail on the poetic peace pilgrimage, a perfect message appears…

Iraq War veteran Jacob George recently died by suicide. His poem was recently read posthumously at the White House and at the Climate Convergence in New York City at the UFPJ workshop.

Support the Troops

by Jacob George

 “we just Need to support the troops”

is what they tell me

 well, this is from a troop

so listen carefully

 what we Need are teachers who understand the history of this country

what we Need is a decent living wage, so people ain’t cold and hungry

what we Need is bicycle infrastructure spanning this beauteous nation

what we Need are more trees and less play stations

what we Need is a justice system that seeks the truth

what we Need are more books and less boots

what we Need is love

for every woman and man

from southern Louisiana

to the mountains of Afghanistan

Now, it’s true

The troops need support

the support to come home

they need treatment and jobs

and love for the soul

see

war ain’t no good

for the human condition

I lost a piece of who I was

on every single mission

and I’m tellin’ you,

don’t thank me for what I’ve done

give me a big hug

and let me know

we’re not gonna let this happen again

because we support the troops

and we’re gonna bring these wars to an end

~

May Great Spirit’s rainbow blessing flow in beauty through all my relations…