take the victory, letting none escape
ensure no vengeance takes shape
through murder, pillage and rape

bask in glory, steal the prize
never see the pain which lies
behind blind, defeated eyes

mired in mud, join in cacophony
heart hard, black and ugly
ignorant of the final irony

bathed in blood, exalt in battle
sword slaying enemies like cattle
never hearing your own death's rattle

© 2005, Aaron Brown