“war”

all the soldiers in a line
marching down in time
all the soldiers in a line
marching down in time

donning the armor
sent to fight this skirmish
can’t shake the fervor
inside I don’t want this
tang of powder in the air
blades stained in red
deep down, worse for the wear
wish I had peace instead

but no matter your intention, what you feel at the core
everything gets skewed in the heat of war

all the soldiers in a line
halting on a dime
all the soldiers in a line
halting on a dime

they threw the first grenade
is what history will say
maybe the rift was an even trade
and began in a different way
no one was careful, slinging mud
planting spies to ascertain the signs
no one saw the error till the damage was done

even if you start clear on what you’re fighting for
everything gets skewed in the heat of war

glory to those who partake
and have the victory to celebrate
you’re mama’s soldier, daddy’s little marine
be all you can be till your knuckles are bloody
repeat the slogan till it’s a litany
fight till it’s hard to breathe

now we arrive back at home
alliances deeply torn
in the fading smoke 
new resentments born
blinded by the haze
the worst of nature will rise
in those uncertain days

even if you take no heed of the fighting lore
everything gets skewed in the heat of war