acceptable losses
unable to fend off drones
bombs, missiles sent to destroy
an ‘enemy’ whose major offense
is swearing under his breath
or snapping at his wife when tired
from long daily labor
yet he belongs to a group deemed
hostile by policies of other men
declaring war while crowded safe
in luxury bomb shelters
who is held accountable for decisions
made in the name of others
that bring them to their deaths
as though they had say in the terror
that plunges their families
and themselves into pain.