War Is a Force

War,
he said,
is a force
that gives us meaning.

Allow this to sink in...

War,
is a force
that gives us meaning.

The evidence?

It’s everywhere
                  on display
                  on our screens
                  and sadly,
within our heart of hearts.

If war is there,
put there
at the very center
of our being,
it begs these questions:
                  how did it get there?
                  why was it put there?
                  did it displace love?
                  or do they coexist?

Chris Hedges, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning (New York: PublicAffairs, 2002)

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This poem was written on October 2, 2025.