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