Leaves Me Trembling Thomas Merton Brightman (All rights reserved) I've killed To live, to feed Self and family I've killed To bring peace Stop pain I've killed With youthful folly Devastated at results I've killed At a distance Approaching carcass Still--no life I've killed Up close and personal Seeing in an instant Death in an eye I've killed With weapons made for killing I've killed With my hands made capable of killing Death From afar Mere construct Distant and detached Death Up close Utterly personal Poignant and penetrating Killing Leaves me trembling