A Specter Speaks To War

Smoke rising from the ground
Obscures the pools of blood,
Where soldiers uttering sounds
Lie dying in the mud.

Horses neighing, running scared
In horror find no end,
Of battle ground that's shared
The crimson life of men.

A bugle lies still tightly clenched
In fingers cold as night,
Plays no melody to those entrenched
Of retreat, or for respite.

For, no living remain to claim through combat law,
A victory now lost in death, it was an even draw.

A specter, slowly forming new
With horror looks about through eyes
Obscured of light, now palest blue,
Emits a mounful cry, "Oh, why?"

Just then, with laughter heard afar,
Dressed in mail of shining amor,
Come to claim his spoils, stood War,
In all his might and glamour.

"Surely Thou jest?" War asked,
"To question such a thing!
For it's from your very own task
That I came here this evening."

"From hate and fear you have campained,
And now you dare to stand and complain?"

"T'was you and they who disagreed,
Finding no peaceful way,
Did bring your greivences to me,
To finalize this day!"

"But not like this!" the specter pleads,
"To utter shame and cost?
We came to you for victory!
Not death and total loss!"

"You fooled us to believe this day
That your quick intervention,
Would be the most successful way
Of our enemies prevention!"

"You scoundrel!" the specter shouts in rage,
"You should be locked up in a cage!"

"You back both sides and then,
Not caring for either side,
You hide conveniently within
Till battle sounds subside."

"You're a terrible thing once done,
A death robe once you're shod!
You must surely fear someone,
Perhaps you fear some God?"

Then spake War abruptly, "Nay!"
"I fear not the deities.
For even they soon disagree and say,
'Let War settle our proprieties.'"

The specter in retort then sneers,
"Surely something gives you cause to fear!"

"Some force of nature, or of man.
Some force that when unleashed,
Doth undermine your smug stance.
You must certainly fear Peace!"

War then shouts, "I, fear her?"
"She, who flees before my wake?
Why, she's just a cuddled kittens purr!
A thing that men when cuddled make."

Then in silent pause the ghost
Began to laugh with glee.
Which silenced War, his host,
A worthy sight to see!

The specter replied, "You'll never stop! And in so doing,
When all is lost, you'll be your own damn ruin!"

The specter vanished with a scream,
Awakening me from my sleep.
Releived to realize t'was just a dream,
I sighed, trying not to weep.

Then, looking at the foot of my bed,
I froze from lack of breath,
To see that self same ghost no less,
Retured once more from death!

With a gasp, my heart stopped!
Then he, while hovering overhead,
Pointed to where my head was propped
At the head of my trembling bed!

Then, grabbing my foot with icy cold caress,
Hissed this warning,...."Beware! Beware!"
"The Fool!....But more, his foolishness!"
Then, he vanished in thin air!!

Tim I. Brumley