WHAT PRICE PEACE

Cyril Paul Sept.2001

A young black sailor sailed the sea

On a ship so large with enormous capacity

Planes launched and landed daily from its deck

Stood hundreds of feet above the tide

This black sailor proudly he did ride

He chose the navy to serve his country

And twenty plus years on deck served proudly

He resurfaced the flight deck so planes landed safely

Scrubbed off the old silicone, the job it was dirty

Replacing the old with new silicone coating

It made navigation safe for take-off and landing

Resulting in clouds of dust swirling in the air

No mask for the task, his face was bare

Dust filled his lungs, he was totally unaware

Silicone and other carcinogens mixed chemicals were there

Year after year these toxins he prepared unaware

That these clouds of dusty, toxic air

Would affect his health bringing him disappear

His health it faltered, it began to give way

His lungs brittle, labored breathing a price he paid

For serving in the navy as he unsiliconed the deck

Of an aircraft carrier so majestic and circumspect

Unable to work the navy replaced him. Heck!

They found other black sailors who continued the task

While he complained for assistance presenting the facts

Appealing on behalf of the health of others to restore

Who fell prey to this fatal disease

The navy his appeal ignored

They secured a few more like him

Who continued to scrub the deck

To enalbel the safety of high flying jet planes

He continued his letters pleading to no avail

The admiralty appeased him the navy prevailed

They conducted studies their single mindedness

Blames his health subtly on recklessness

Until CBS got wind of the sailor's woes

Investigation by CBS discovered that those

Who supported the sailor's theory, breathing dust

Carcinogen dust with other toxins, must

Conclusively be the only reason why so many

With their lungs filled, with alike contaminants

Have died with similar symptoms, did not recant

When asked to do so by the navy adjutant.

There were no trials even though similar

Chemicals and similar diseases were discovered.

In similar operations, the navy was never bothered.

The powerful and insightful navy, mighty and just

Found no reason to search for cures in the dust

An assist for black sailors was not forthcoming

The flagship steered into the gloaming.

Their lungs albeit the reason for suffering and death

The admiralty discussed the implementation of nuclear

Warheads against the enemy in the same breath.

It's far better to prepare stronger nuclear defense

Than to restore happiness and health to black sailors

At the navy's expense.

It's totally out of balance, don't you see?

The health of a few versus a defense for the whole country .

The economic feasibility certainly humanitarian

But strategic defense ensures the safety of this nation.

The simple spoils of combat readiness are surely dispensable

Life is cruel, war is evil

We prepare for war ass a deterrent to peace

The human sacrifice of the few provides the grease

For the itinerant warlord securing the peace

One single sailor's death no cause for alarm, there's no cruelty

When the wheels of Liberty crushes with power overseas

Wisdom echoes but one choice," Apply legal extremities?" "We aim to please"

Peace! It's our nation's goal

We seize that moment applying our expertise.