the Legions by Bob Atkinson

"the Legions”

(c)2010 Bob Atkinson

the legions marched rank and file
drums beating, some with fife

where they went was decided

by the leaders, not the men

the legions marched, was all they knew

all they stood for was duty

kept their boots moving together

never questioned higher authority

had been proud of making the grade

had been sharp while on parade

had been told they were for use

of those who led their faultless group

chain of command drummed into them

as was the marching drummer's beats

within their souls power was given

to destroy the foe and win the land

were part of an army of soldier men

who claimed the rights of old barbarians

to conquer weak and stand bold and tall

on top of the mountain,

sword held above the head

from the population they came

some were discarded, didn't make the grade

some wanted so much to return home

under the wing of mom's they'd known

comforts weren't what they'd found

a life at the limits of their bodies pounding

fresh in the morning, worn out by night

made to perform well in a firefight

so, you say this isn't right?

do you not know of nature's might?

that gives us all our purpose in life

to pursue the grandest thrill of all

surviving against overwhelming odds

pitting our skills against those of others

giving the very best we can

improving the beast that we call man

failure for those who can't walk tall

isn't good, or bad, that's not our call

when used to fill a slot in the group

selfless desires are of little use

survive the fittest so all might be proud

survive the fittest so we can build towers

that speak of the living that used to be here

before the species became individuals