The Beat Goes On

it only takes one
line to be crossed
for any American President
for the drum beat to begin
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ships are moved
planes are armed
poison or nuclear
the weapons feared
that will spread
to any enemy state
to destroy Jerusalem
to threaten oil
or so the story goes
as war unfolds
in another desert land
the beat tick tocks
the beat programs
our apathy for
all family crests
all lives and limbs
to be taken
are warned
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