still they come, grief-filled coffins
engulfed by a sea of tears
suppressed rage weighed down by death
how can they rest in peace

others say it is needed, won’t back down
continue to plan their tomorrows
ignore lessons from the past
say, this is victory, forget forget

forget until caught up by death
old stories are told and retold
endings colored with condescension, changed
embellished with conceit and haughtiness

young ears hear, respond to the call
don their uniforms
still they come, the grief-filled coffins
in this endless war some call victory