an apology a day late

the reality is that such an apology must be kept a day late. i will forever respect those of you out there who understand this.

dear enemy,

were it not for the differences

between our beloved leaders,

i would by you a drink,

tell your wife her hair

looked very good today,

play with your kids,

and give them baloons or something.

dear enemy,

were it not for my need to hate,

i would not have believed

what they told me.

but if i wait until tomorrow

to pull the trigger,

i just might notice that

your eyes are the same color

as mine, dark with fear.

dear enemy,

a would be friend in need,

please cry in pain

when i shoot you down,

so i may wish instead

that i had known you

as a man and not a monster.