The field was deserted, like a wasteland:
Wasted opportunities;
Wasted lives;
Wasted people;
Wasted victories.

How much longer before victory?
Opening hands;
Opening hearts;
Opening eyes;
Opening coffers.

The fallen are flogged with peace lilies:
Flogged by anger;
Flogged by hate;
Flogged by duty;
Flogged by power.

They kneel before the God of War:
Laughing in contempt;
Laughing in pity;
Laughing in victory;
Laughing in defeat.

Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer, was born on this day in 1828.

William the Conqueror, English king, died on this day in 1087.