“IF I WERE GOD”

This is the question heard like a shot

around the world in heavy hearts.

Who we are matters not

when empathy takes apart

the calm acceptance of fate.

We accept our human frailty in part,

yet aspire to be gods who can create

a world of safety.

From Sun-Kings who were gods

to Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Khamenei

is a short road of ignominy.

Each day of war brings the prayer

“If I were God” I would stop

this unholy massacre.

The helplessness becomes

too much to bear

for such as me.

How much harder must it be

for leaders of democracy

who see more of war than we can know

with secret insights passed between

those on front lines where evil grows?

Is this their prayer, too?

Are they strong enough to ignore its pull?

For autocrats are not.

Autocrats create the fiction they are gods

and pretend a courage they lack

to remain human; becoming monsters instead.

Leaders of democracies show greater humanity

because they have the courage to admit

they are not God, no matter how much

they wish it were so.

Democratic leaders have the strength

to carry the heavy burden

not only of their own human frailty;

but, of ours as well.