Back Next Peace and Pieces

It was all light and pizza.
The town shone quiet
And everything was in its proper place.
Not a sound of discontent was heard.
The jukebox played itself out
And smiles stood upon all faces.
But in the corner of the room
Outside the heat of the fireplace
Where a light bulb blew out
Sat a disgruntled one
Waiting to smash
All the sweet peace
To pieces.
How would he do it?
Inside the church
Shouting shit noises at Jesus?
Or would he do it
Impersonally as a pilot
Dropping bombs?
Or as a leader
Pressing buttons?

Irwin R. Shaw - December 25th 1981