history repeats

the cannons fired. muskets aimed
one wore read. the other grey
“are you alone here?” someone asked
“i brought my army. where’s your cast?”
“i came alone sir, though there were others too
our forces great. we grew and grew”
“what circumstance has brought the end
for so many of these other men?”
“they drew their weapons, but lost the fight
the rest took ill, til none survived.
so i, alone, shall stand this night
before we do sir, before i die
i fight for truth but so do you
duty and courage compel us through
if defeated, my last request
tell this tale at my behest
of lives lost and lineages crumbled
we walked then ran until we stumbled
the pity is it’s all for naught
nothing gained at a heavy cost”