The Border

There once was a border, on both sides, they were friends

Or so they believed, all their lives

Then came a hoarder, not one for amends

Who brandished his wishes with knives

He thought himself bigger and tougher than most

So sharing just wasn’t his style

He feigned understanding, or so he would boast

But in short it was clear he’d defile

He suggested the brothers should pay him a tax

If they wanted him not to be mean

But beyond what he said, one could see all the facts

His intent now was clearly obscene

Soon, though they brothers, one went to seek friends

He could trust and be free to trade goods

But soon, though his family, afraid did contend

That one brother would stay in the hood

So to do so, they trusted the hoarder with all

That they’d built and shared tween the two

But the brother, the other constructed a wall

It was clear that this never would do

And so, though once brothers, the others have left

No more family, no trusting in kind

For the brother, the others, though they’re bereft

Have proven themselves to be blind

With no trust between brothers, the border’s a wall

One defined by the lies and the fear

And the others are ready to answer the call

Should the other, south brother, appear

Once father’s and sons on each side of the line

If imperilled, would answer the call

But now their concern was only what’s mine

With no trust between brothers at all

The future is clear now, our paths are defined

We believe that our brother has died

And so in the future, we’ll be less inclined

To let in the hoarder who lied

The future less certain, we travel afar

To seek now our fortune and fame

And since trust has ended, the door’s not ajar

We have strengthened and bolted the frame

For a house cannot stand when a lie becomes truth

And one’s word is no longer true

One still harbours the liar, so clearly uncouth

No more brothers, no lies to construe.

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And, so it will be that the border, once undefended will become hardened and protected. Distrust is unlikely to diminish. It will extend for decades, if not indefinitely. We, on the other side of the border, are now estranged. We have no interest in reconciliation. We intend on finding new allies, new friends and a future without threats of economic destruction or annexation.

Now, we simply share a border. Nothing more.