Never Again 

They who hate see only numbers

   bare, stark empty numbers

that hide the hated

   in faceless nameless masks.

The haters make unto themselves

   depraved images

offering them human blood sacrifices

   in misbegotten lust.

We must say  “No more!

   Thou shalt not worship pseudogods.

In thy blind and reckless folly

   thou slayest thy brothers and sisters.

Thou must not number thy victims,

   for each is a wondrous world

capable of loving and being loved

   of creating great beauty, and revealing

great thoughts.

   Each must be mourned

and penance paid for their passing.”

   We say again “No more!

Never again!

   Never again!

Never again!

                     By Ronald Severin Westman