The next best thing

I read an article today which argues that Nuclear Weapons should be awarded the Nobel Peace prize. This poem is written in response.

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I hide a toy gun

beneath my bed.

Its barrel lost

that orange cap

to distinguish

it from a real gun.

In case of burglary

it's the next best thing.

Just like a bloodied, broken fist

is the next best thing to a bloodied

bat, broken on a skull.

Just like rusty machetes

are the next best thing to assault rifles

for genocidal mobs.

Just like sending planes with troops

is the next best thing to sending planes

with bombs.

Just like us dying here

is the next best thing to them dying there.

Just like tallying the dead

is the next best thing to feeling safe.

Just like a room of uniformed men

with launch codes is the next best thing

to peace.