Truths of a War

Truths of a War

What is life but a war-
and what are we but naked, forced to face the light?
We have but to put on clothes-
And learn to stand up right.

Standing up, wobbly and weak,
putting our feet between us and the ground,
and, babbling syllables, we must learn
to distinguish each subtle sound.

Growing stronger, each step longer
More determined, learning as we go-
all those who saw us long before
think, "My how much you've grown!"

And then we stand upon their shoulders-
they, our marshals and heroes.
As we get stronger, they get weaker
And away like leaves they blow.

We bear the heat of battle now,
or stand on the side, too afraid-
trembling, shaking, not wanting to die-
already beginning to fade.

Each man on the sidelines wonders
how to escape his fate- death.
And slowly each coward realizes
he, too, will breath his last breath.

Each of us who fought, now leaders,
Stronger than those who came before;
Fighting death, eager in struggle,
Thumos at our very core.

And as our children grow up,
we will teach them all we know.
They'll grow stronger, as we weaken,
and away like leaves we'll blow.

Life is fleeting, death comes fast;
This war is one our bodies cannot maintain.
But if we seek out truth, fight for right
Our deaths shall never be in vain.

IDOMAD, 2009