War

By Fillarian

The woodlanders and vermin stand in perfect formation
Each commanding officer at his assigned station
Swords and shields glisten in the sun
The soldiers wonder who will win, knowing it can only be one

The general brings his spear level, facing straight
The soldiers whisper, "Hold on, it's going to start mate..."

The vermin leader holds out his hand,
Signaling his soldiers to stay where they stand
"Let them go ahead and charge first."
He glances at his rowdy crew, knowing these are the lands worst

"Charge!" cries the general, sending the infantry in to the war
The vermin king send off his troops, and what's more
Both sides send off a volley of arrows into the other one's forces
And the infantry thunder down the field like a herd of wild horses
The air is rent with vermin's screams and war cries
One is struck by an arrow, dead where he lies
The foot troops are thrown into bloody combat
With a swish and a hit, one is gone just like that
Swords and spears swing and clang
That day, the death knell rang

As the battle is finished, the woodlanders come out victorious
But this comes with death and injury, and carnage and goriness
A single figure surveys the ugly field
Blood on his face, he grips a spear and a shield
He came out alive, and fought for these lands
But he slumps down in despair, his head in his hands

"Why must we fight, and lose family and friends?"

An elder pats him on the back. "We must all come to our ends,
but please know that your beloved ones did not die vain."
He squeezes his hand, and sets aside his cane
"They fought that you might live happy, a wonderful life,
That you would live without oppression and strife.
O yes, they gave their lives, but nay,
the courage and strength of those who fought will always be remembered from this day."