Imperator

Where are you, general?
Where is the sound,
Of thunderous hoofbeats,
And swords clam'ring 'round?
Where sounds the echo,
The brazen tattoo,
Of war-longing hearts,
Rallied longing to you?
Where comes the jackboot,
Of simmering ranks,
The clattering rattle,
Of wrath-roaring tanks?
Where come the champions,
The proud thund'ring best,
Who rattle their spears,
And pound fist to chest?
Where are the warriors,
Who'd rally to you,
And raise up a cairn,
To our forefathers true?
Where comes the battle,
The test 'gainst the odds,
The red-handed tribute
To storm thund'ring gods?
Where comes the triumph,
That blood foemen rue,
Where we lift up our swords,
In tribute to you?
Where are you, general?
Whence will you come?
To lift up your children,
In the grace of the sun?

J.B. Canfield https://twitter.com/JBCanfield1