Why We Die

We immediately we know the cause:
age, cancer, war.
For the most part, we simply accept.

But when young parents die, leaving small children,
we inevitably cry as one
the question: “Why?”

But do not call ourselves into question,
when we invade other countries,
rob, rape and kill
(including pregnant women and children),
steal resources, and destroy the land.

Thus, do we die: murderers, rapists, and thieves,
even so, self-righteous,
who have not loved the Earth as ourselves
or life dependent upon it;

ourselves become historically cursed
by all alive on this planet
and those to come
for children we have raped and killed,
even orphans’ sons.