ENEMY AT THE GATE

Poem by R.M. Dolin

Enemy At the Gate

I am the frontier farmer who,
like my father
and his father before,
dares to imagine the day when
things are more fantastic.

I am the clerk who never considers
the consequences of corruption
or the cascading way
cause and effect
implicate the soul
until life brought me
to the cold.

I’m the priest standing alone
on Independence Square
between good and evil
quietly asking God
the only question
that matters
. . . ”why?”

I’m Mom who worries
about my sons
and now my daughters,
and the logic of homemade shields
in the face
of government propelled bullets.

I am the world waiting to groan.
Wondering how the chaos of Kiev
and the craziness of Caracas
provide a framework for
what happens next.

I’m a patriot devoid of context.
Standing small against
the darkness that persists
in all countries at all times.
Tell me please
so, I can understand
what is it you fight for?

From chapter 15 of the R.M. Dolin novel “What Is to Be Done.” Jake and the rest of the ANA are having a meeting to debate their next steps; should they proceed with Phase II pre-launch or delay in order to help Sympatico? It all comes down to a vote, and ironically, Padre decides.