The Price of Peace

A woman watches television coverage in the aftermath of the Iraq war
thinking that the children gathering around the American soldiers
are as tall as M-16s. The television sits kitty corner from the microwave

in her kitchen, the black set standing out amongst white appliances.
Cardinals are canting outside, their bodies somber against the green

leaves of an oak. The silverware is lined up with military precision,
the plates like landmines on the table. Dinner is not as disruptive
as that in Iraq, the aid trucks emptying out their rations to hungry

hands. Dinner will be as they expected it, as opposed to what takes
place on screen. In school, her children are given reasons as to why

we’ve done what we’ve done—commodified for the young. The president
will do the same for the masses, so they will not worry too much about
what doesn’t concern them. The truth is she doesn’t want to know, just

enough to realize that she is alive. The dead bird in the oven knew too
much about death. The beagle out in his doghouse knows too much

about the neighbor boy torturing him on the sly. She doesn’t want to know
this either. Terrorists could be planning their next attack and that would
barely move her. The sugar and the flower in her canisters, made to resemble

mushrooms, are always more than half full. The bed is promptly made
every morning. The gray Toyota has only necessary miles. Next door

a father is playing checkers with his son, teaching him a thing or two about
messing with what you’re not supposed to. His kings slide like utility
vehicles across the board. His pieces are a well placed army. The son only

wants to win, for once. He thinks his father has some kind of magic over
him, or that he cheats when the boy is not looking: so he is vigilant, watching

the pieces with great care. But the occupation never ends, so he tortures
the dog next door—ever vigilant for his next chance to strike. Who knows
what the dog thinks, or even cares, when all they want is to sleep peacefully?

* Anthony Butts’ recent manuscript is entitled Male Hysteria. Poems from this manuscript have already been published in: New Letters; Black Warrior Review; Callaloo; Crab Orchard Review; 5 AM; and Journal of Poetry Therapy, among several others.