Responsibility To Protect

They refuse to be diverted from their purpose,
recklessly seeking liberties they have never
enjoyed, foolishly believing this to represent
their basic human rights. What absurdity;
whatever gave them that spur to spurn the
legitimacy of their serene and regal ruler?
Tyrant though he is, he is their tyrant, inheriting
their future, to steer them unerringly in the very
direction his father took them to; what right to
presume as they do and demand respect?

In with the tanks, the regime's response
to peaceful protest requesting rights.
Sharp-shooters posted strategically
make short and accurate work of the
rally organizers. Those who exhibit the
brazen temerity and the tenacity to attend
rebel funerals pay dearly as their sombre
procession is bombed, strafed from above.

The muezzin calls to Friday night prayers.
Mosque-emerging faithful march in
ardent resolution to face down their
tormentors in a traditional Ramadan
ceremonial of defiance. From the seas,
their dictator's naval flotillas shell port
cities and Mediterranean waterfronts.

The message absolute: disperse, accept,
obey, for the army, navy and air force
will remain deployed in deadly opposition
to those who question the authority of
the state, sacrificing unarmed civilians,
children, the elderly, on the funeral pyre
of victory and strength of arms over revolt.