In Time for the Holidays: Singer/Songwriter Neal Fox Offers Simple Solution to War

Singer/songwriter and playwright, Neal Fox, made his reputation writing social commentary. Now Fox tackles the insanity of "religious" wars by offering a simple solution with, "In a Place Not Unlike This."

San Diego, CA (PRWeb) November 22, 2006 -- Fed up with world crises, and war of any kind, singer/songwriter, Neal Fox, puts forth a challenge to end war with a simple, yet effective, solution. Fox has been writing and recording songs about war, hunger, and politics since he was in his teens. He has no fear about speaking his mind, as evidenced by his musical, Meat Street, which targets the mental health profession.

"In a Place Not Unlike This" is a poem from Fox's blog-turned-book, News From Meat Street: Stories From a Planet That's Lost Its Soul. In it, he makes war personal--very personal--and his unique viewpoint is intriguing.

This holiday season, while passing the turkey and wishing for peace on earth, share this thoughtful poem, too.

In a place not unlike this

Two tribes were still at war

So much like each other

So much hatred to the core

With a history of bloodshed

They swore they'd not forget

Each to avenge the other

For centuries of pain and regret

And they shared the same holy deity

And they knew that only they knew best

So their God decided to return

And put their Holy War to rest

And their God found the country in ruins

And the populace under a cloud

Both sides were heavy with victims

Both sides were shouting out loud

"Death to the traitorous infidels!

You will have nowhere to hide.

We will fill all your streets

With the blood of your children.

We're the ones who have God on our side!"

Then a light of pure brilliance befell them

As their God came to speak face to face

And He Said He would end the confusion

Right now in this time and this place

He would tell them which tribe

Was His chosen

Then peace would reign in the land

He would end this hatred and sorrow

This wasn't the world He had planned

Then He randomly chose one for favor

And the chosen ones fell to their knees

And He told them to send Him their leader

For a message that surely would please

And the leader prepared for the honor

Cleansed his soul and did all that was right

And the time came to stand in His glory

On this, the Holiest night

And the God said he knew what he wanted

The leader stood silent and smiled

"I grant you the death of your enemy

To the last man and woman and child!

"And so you won't miss all the pleasure

By shooting so far from the place

You're going to use this small dagger

And carry it out face to face.

"Your enemy numbers in millions.

So can you imagine the joy

Of personally seeing the life drain

From every soul you destroy?

"Go now--your heaven is waiting.

It'll probably take you some years.

I look forward to seeing you someday

Amongst dancing and singing and cheers."

And so I heard this story

Where a war just came to an end

No blood--no sweat--no glory

Just nothing left to defend

You had better watch what you pray for

In a state of hatred or bliss

You just might find your heaven

In a place not unlike this

Fox is currently working on a new musical, "Thank You, Dan Rather," and CD, "Now It's Personal." Visit his web site, Wire Duck Records, at http://www.wireduck.com for release dates and other information. To license Fox's music, hear full versions of all his songs (including previews of "Now It's Personal"), and to see videos from his one-man show, Pigeonholes, go to http://www.indie911.com/neal-fox. (Permission to reprint poem with credit, © 2006 Neal Fox).

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