We knew they were coming,
so we prepared,
for an invading force of
mothers and infants. 
Fathers with worried faces. 
Young men chasing future promise 
more powerful than past nightmare.
We knew they were coming,
so we prepared,
with razor wire and uniformed force,
with expensive walls and cheap process,
with tear gas 
to burn the faces of children. 
We knew they were coming, 
so we prepared,
building up the barriers,
knocking down humane inclination,
setting stage for propaganda-
keep the peacekeepers away. 
We knew they were coming,
so we prepared,
no safety for the fearful
no food for the hungry
no work for the restless
no room in the inn.
We knew they were coming,
so we prepared.