They Ride on Moonlight

THEY RIDE ON MOONLIGHT (Copyright)

        George G. Epp 

They ride on moonlight through the night,

sad tidings at the speed of light

delivering news of wars and strife

most murderous waste of limb and life. 

    With images of blood and fire

from cities, playgrounds, churchly spires

comes news of wailing, moaning, dying

the screams of anger, life denying,

     while here in quiet Canadian town

i offer up a furrowed frown,

a wish that somehow, somewhere men

would learn compassion once again, 

    would feel the wounds their victims feel

the misery that smoke conceals,

the choking, pleading question, “why,

to serve what end must children die?” 

    Is it because we’re humankind

that selfishness has left us blind

to pain and sorrow f’ those who lie,

in fields and ditches? wounded die? 

    But let us now make this our prayer

to do more than just say “we care,”

to pick up pen, placard or phone

and tell the world “we all are one?” 

    to say a pleading prayer again

for those who suffer grievous pain

seems more a gesture, less a gift,

won’t ease their burden, bridge the rift. 

    ‘Twas hoarding, greed and selfishness

that sowed the seeds for such excess;

as humankind prepared the way,

so human hands must seize the day 

    and pave a way for lasting peace

for justice, fairness, equity

for dignity for everyone,

with news: new dawn has surely come. 

    Then sparks like sunlight through the day

glad news will bring, and hope hold sway:

“rejoice, my people everywhere,

the bow of love has banished fear.”