Manichaean rites

Manichaean games
in black and white
are played by ideologues
whose world is colorblind.

With certainties of good and bad,
they drive young soldiers to their graves
and carnage the civilians too
in name of just wars and democracy.

Fatigued old myths of patriotism
hide the slaughter in a haze of heroism.
Perpetrators play the role of victims
Victims are maligned as perpetrators

Top dogs dress as underdogs,
while underdogs await their turn.
In cycles guilt and innocence
are galloping to nothingness.

Janus-faced our world appears,
confusing yin and yang
A chorus sings our requiem
while Lysistrata offers peace.

Manichaean games
have set the world in flames.
Manichaean rites
have torched our human rights.