It was in November we went away
In November when the city burned
and the felon squeezed the throat of a nation
cradled in fatty shattered arms
In November the cannons let loose a smoking stench
we opened our veins and drowned
We fought for nothing, you and I
One thin child held up her hand
and we continued marching by
velocity unrestrained by reason
a land unscored by Love
returning handsome profits
And it was on just such a day
when January’s wind rushed down the mountain
when winter lakes filled with waters stained with ash
when forest creatures fled forever
and the last brass blasted the cowering valley
it was on this day our fate adjourned
the bronze doors slammed
cracking pillar post and lintel
and all in a rush our tribe laid waste
c 2024 Philip Newton
from: WAR