Let's Fly a Kite
In "No More War", I made it clear:
"We are addicts. The human species is addicted to war. The media, encouraged by politicians, feed us sugar-coated images of bravery. Governments hand out medals. Numbers of dead are counted against numbers of bombs required. Economies improve. Patriotism soars. Leaders beam. Winners brag.
But there are no winners in war. Everybody loses. Soldiers, civilians. Why do we continually send our strongest youths to be annihilated? Do we really think that a soldier trained to kill can come home and change diapers?" (1)
Recently a poem came to my attention. It refers to one specific conflict, written from one side, but to me it covers all wars, all sides. It is titled "If I Must Die":
"If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings.
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze-
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself-
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale." (2)
I wrote, and I repeat, "War is not an abstraction War is pain. War is horror. War is wrong."
c. Corinne Whitaker 2026 and always
(1) "No More War", 2018. the world's first fine art series created on the iPad/iCloud.
(2) "If I Must Die", Refaat Alareer
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copyright 2026 Corinne Whitaker
