They faced up to their commitments

stood up to the enemy

crouching to avoid the bullets

concealed themselves for now

heard the whistle.

 

The land was razed

histories pock marked

mud refined by blood

chins stroked in retrospect

assessments penned for the future.

 

politicians died natural deaths

and the soldiers came back

to where a home should have been.

 

Thankfully today we have a different kind of fame

based upon an assumption of peace

based upon the branding of a name

we can all look up to

without a sense of shame.

 

Lest we forget though

there are stone fingers of accusation

and of course the wreaths

precisely and decently laid.