Fred Alvis

GLORY IN WAR

I must disagree,
there is glory in war;
From teens we are taught
this is what were for.

We get out letter
and leave this land;
We have our inner fears
But think it’s grand.

We hear the bugle,
we see the flag.
Off we go,
with thoughts of body bags.

Innocence is lost
soon after we arrive;
this isn’t what we were taught –
it’s keep your buddy alive.

The hell with the drums
and the bugle corps;
the eyes of our brothers
contain trust and more.

I will die
to save my friends;
this they will do for me –
it’s a circle without end.

But yet
times of glory do arise,
only to be seen
by your buddy's eyes.

Don’t mean squat
back at home;
when you return,
you find yourself alone.

But yet,
in those glory days,
all bullshit aside,
your heart knows the way.

You didn’t let down your friends
and you get to come home.
You never forget
the friends you have known.

Glory is for the books
that young are taught;
nightmares are for warriors
that have gone and fought.