On the Eve of War

On the eve of war
The angels keep watch at night
Veins of sentrymen
Witching hour winds blow
The hare stares at the fat boy
Clutching his rosary
His spirit looks beyond
It reaches upward to stars
His flesh is dirt-cake
From desert mountains
A warrior descended
Spectre forgotten
A rebel gorges
On Babylon's sour milk curds
Hissing and laughter
A coward's prayer
Courage ,courage, courage please
On the eve of war

- Nelson Woodbury