It was never easy
for you, little bird,
long ago caged with a mate
on that fateful voyage
through storm and flood,
then cast away
to find hope,
to find home.

Gaining safe harbor for humanity
should have earned you some respect,
given voice to your cause,
but a bird of peace
must always be prey
to birds of war,
hawkish adversaries against
your basic rights.

They say it’s nature’s way,
the code of Darwin,
survival of the fittest,
but you and I know better,
know that survival of the most
powerful and vicious does not
ensure the survival of a species,
merely the perpetuation of war.