Chlorine
It kills our people
We cannot breathe
And when we do
Oxygen is poison
We are Aleppo
Please save us from
Your warring efforts
To bring peace by
Delivering to us the
Gas bombs first
Mustard gas from the First World War. Dissolving lung tissue. There are reasons—compelling decent reasons—for not using these. When we do, we surrender all humanity. Starting with ours.
clcouch123 
September 7, 2016 at 11:24 pm
Yes, I had a wonderful social studies teacher who first taught me about WWI and the use of this. It’s archaic shouldn’t be used. Honestly, even in swimming pools it isn’t a good thing (many people like me are allergic to it). I was the book ‘All Quiet On The Western Front,’ and how they had to wear urine soaked clothes over their mouths and nose, for this was the only thing that made the chlorine gas or mustard gas ineffective. Gross but essential practice to live in a war. But it’s 97 or more years since that war . . .
September 8, 2016 at 6:38 pm
. . . and shouldn’t we have grown in decency, even when fighting? Thanks for your notes and insights, Mandi. That novel is astounding.
September 8, 2016 at 3:52 am
Oh dear. This is… heartbreakingly morbid. The saddest part is this is real, was real, can be real again. 😦
Great, relevant piece, brother!
September 8, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Sister, thank you. I agree, it’s morbid. More so because it’s real, precisely in the way you say.
September 9, 2016 at 3:51 am
yes. yes. you’re welcome! 😀