from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Commentary Section

By Sharon Male

December 24, 2001

we calculated in advance the number of casualties

in the interest of conducting an effective
cost-balance analysis.
we multiplied potential nuclear warheads by 1.5
and missing limbs by half.
we pledged commitment to infinite justice
then realized it doesn't exist.
we looked to the eagle but found him invading the no-fly zone
and had to shoot him down.
the cabinet was full by noon,
but provisions were running short.

we decided to risk it.

Sharon Male is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and works at the Kelly Writers House.