Inspired over the years by Bob Dylan, I wrote this originally as a song. I´ll wait for the proper melody though. Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle, Bob...anybody interested?

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From Bakersfield to Babylon (Copyright ©José M. Tirado 2006) From Bakersfield to Babylon The righteous fires burn. Across broad oceans, distant lands The people haven't learned. The winds of war blow burning hot Along the desert floor And everywhere the sun does set It's time to say "No more!" Abu Ghraib, an evil seed It's vicious flowers bloom In rage and thirst for vengeance Throughout the crescent moon. Some minarets are calling sons To push this crusade back. And all that's heard from all our shores: "Attack! Attack, attack!" Now fear rules silent, still and stark, And raving is our King, Who maddened shouted, "Bring it on!" And now the others sing, "Fallujah" "Torture" and "Palestine!" (Whose children now eat sand) "Arise together everywhere For God's sake, take a stand." Alone/together, the good must face, The evil we've become, In Truth alone this fight is won, Now Justice must be done. A new cry yearns to be unleashed, And flung against the tide, From safety's darkness the time has come, We can no longer hide. It is our Fate to live our lives As if no others trail, For if by chance another comes No one but God can tell. We trade security for a hole A jail cell warm to sleep And while we glumly turn our eyes, A worldwide challenge deep- Is now demanded everywhere It's nervous shudder felt, From north to south to east to west Before our world does melt. Reject all war, abandon hate, Begin to create new- Embracing visions of one people Who make these nightmares few. From Bakersfield to Babylon, The righteous fires burn, Across broad oceans distant lands, It's time our people learned, That winds of war blow burning hot Along our earth's dear floor, So on this flag of stars and stripes, Let's pledge now, "No more war!"

Authors Bio:
José M. Tirado is a Puertorican poet, and writer living in Hafnarfjorður, Iceland, known for its elves, "hidden people" and lava fields. His articles and poetry have been featured in CounterPunch, Cyrano -s Journal, The Galway Review, Dissident Voice, The Endless Search, Op-Ed News, The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, and others.