(Credit: Randomly found via Google – no name on post)

Paris is burning
I can see the smoke
smell the reek of flesh
and charred remains

From far away
I watch
I weep
I pray

In the name of the father…
and of the sons
and of the daughters
– scarred by hate.

In the name of the light…
my faith is dying
– brilliance fading to black.

In the name of reason…
smoke smothers my soul.
– breaking down all logic.
.
In the name of the law…
mercy turns to suspicion.
– rules shattering like glass.

In the name of fraternity
love turns inward
– breaking all trust.

My spirit is broken
beyond all healing
beyond the keening of words
our voices have no meaning
we have become the croaking of crows
swarming in murder
blackening the skies

In the name of art…
beauty is vanquished
– canvas tattered in the wind.

In the name of speech…
how can one write
– these pages red with blood.

In the name of poetry
mocking all prophets
– poets weep ink.

In the name of enlightenment
We now ashamed to be human
– remember we are born of mud.

And to mud we return
dust and ashes
we are not gods
we are but flesh
born to die

If your god tells you to kill to prove your faith
then your god isn’t very good.