Looking Backwards Sideways

The Politician sanctions war:

Would he be quite so willing

If he had to lead the ones

He expects to do his killing.

Would he be quite so willing

With bullets flying at his head

Facing the realisation he could

Be of the wounded or dead.

Would he be quite so willing

When faced with the fact

Hindsight may judge him

Guilty of an illegal act.

Would he be more prepared

To take that one step more

Before taking that decision

To send his country to war.

It’s so very much easier 

To be ready and willing

To send your country to war

When others do your killing