The Generals Of War. Poem by Tony Adah

The gong resounded
Its echo waking the halcyon reign of peace
War rhythm was thick in the air
And its sinister omen hanging and dangling
In the clouds, mountains, trees
As well as float on streams, rivers and oceans.

The war generals
Have called for the throats of their kind
Which they have branded as enemies
What could make the gong sound so fierce
Other than the price of liquid gold?

The ambush was great
So was the sound of munitions
And the gory sight of death.
The generals of war wore the apparel of war
And war was that wind that blew everywhere.

From the apprehension
Of every living thing it was
Unnecessary to go to war
The gods heard this and brought the war
To a standstill and who won or who lost
Was a matter of a tie
And its name was pyrrhic victory!