War makers

seldom visit rivers

that haunt soldiers

later in life

or quiet meadows

where butterflies go

to seek the sun

 

When they do,

they come disguised

as decorated Viceroys

on parade grounds

to claim full honors

due forgotten regiments

lost in fields of fire

 

Let us not crown

these fake fighters

with laurels,

worship them in statuary

or raise the colors

in their name,

battle after battle,

war after war,

man for man