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The base commander had rehearsed the plan
So on arrival he prepared to scan
The crowd until he saw the mayor's face.
Then beckoning, invited him to grace
The colonel with his presence and provide
The needed information which would guide
Them to deliver up the corpse they brought
To family members. Though he is distraught
And fearful for his life, the mayor goes
To see what new disaster overflows
Upon the town to devastate anew.
The magistrate resolves he will not do
What the commander of the base demands,
But wonders what he'll suffer at the hands
Of the marines for failing to comply.
The mayor listens to the reason why
The colonel had requested his advice.
He can't believe the colonel's artifice,
For he declared his guilt and asked to be
Referred to Qasim's grieving family.
