May Poetry--Against the War in Vietnam by Wendell Berry

Against the War in Vietnam by Wendell Berry

Believe the automatic righteousness

of whoever holds an office. Believe

the officials who see without doubt

that peace is assured by war, freedom

by oppression.  The truth preserved by lying

becomes a lie. Believe or die. 

In the name of ourselves we ride

at the wheels of our engines,

in the name of Plenty devouring all,

the exhaust of our progress falling

deadly on villages and fields

we do not see. We are prepared

for millions of little deaths. 

Where are the quiet plenteous dwellings

we were coming to, the neighborly holdings?

We see the American freedom defended

with lies, and the lies defended

with blood, the vision of Jefferson

served by the agony of children,

women cowering in holes.