Stand your ground

And spit out your teeth

You are not what you claim to be

If only the house hadn’t crumbled

The frame hadn’t smashed

You would not have such calloused knees

From kneeling in the dirt

Gasping for air and strength

With dust choking your lungs

And body broken and spirit spent

Stand

Smile

But don’t drop your shield

Rest tonight

By the sentinels light

Sleep

Soundly

But don’t drop your shield

We are not sacred

But we need not be scared

This is the last procession

This is the last march to war