warrior clan nation

[joel]

My nation is a clan of warriors
and blood for us is war paint, proudly drawn
to look like sweat ("We give our lives for peace.)
to look like tears ("We mourn all human death.)
to mask our power-laughs with dignity.
Blessed be blood, Life's firm erection source.
Your holy blood is our obsession, not
as deicide, but as Crusade--and what
is sacrifice to us? To stay the course
for victory requires casualty.
I want to love you more than blood. Your breath,
your spoken word, your promise of release
from death, your I Am With You eighth-day dawn--
Love, send me peace and to its curriers.