No Colors by Bob Atkinson

No Colors

(c)2011 Bob Atkinson

no colors on a staff flying

would set their men apart

from the rumbling massed formations

on this forward battle ground

bugles carried tunes of orders

for their efforts to focus upon

and give their sights to the enemy

hopefully soon to be dead grounded

green uniforms upon their backs

no red clothing did they wear

that signaled to the enemy

they would shortly be impaled

the Baker Rifle had been issued

along with black body straps

to go along with green pants

tunic, and fine Shako hat

set upon sharpshooter training

no muskets here for long

was not a fight of close quarters

pick them off from a distance far

since that old forgotten war

of shame upon the shore

within a former colony

had taught them so much more

taught them tactics heretofore

not accepted nor trusted deeply

by those stuffy generals of status

who had their station purchased

where some minds believed

new methods gave advantage

some others saw a waste of time

resources misused or useless completely

hide behind those trees out there

secret yourselves in the bushes

aim you rifle at the bodies

of the enemy attacking, thrusting

keep them wheeling,

keep them frightened

not knowing who belongs

to the lead that flies so fast

out from the trees and bogs

sneak upon them in great stealth

don't mass for them to kill

a regiment with their cannon

no fodder for artillery to splinter

no drummers walking tall

with martial drums giving orders

as this would keep all in earshot

apprised of your new intentions

fifes or flutes within the heart

motivating hearts mightily

bugles now giving quick orders

move up or fall back rightly

such evolution of a war

hiding a company out of sight

not standing shoulder to square shoulder

had some officers and men mystified

seems no wild push

of imagination now

but then was not accepted

stood only for limited trials

war required evolution

a better way to win

the battles bloody brought upon

both soldiers and later civilians

seems that those who insist

upon their own definition

of moral order and succession

of governmental institutions

find their own rationale

find their purpose sound and sincere

yet fail to see that in war's violence

its user is the moral loser

yet through all our history

we never have been loved

by those who wanted what we had

or fought to protect what was theirs

so the question sits unanswered

is violent struggle good or bad

does it keep us living stronger

or does it take from us what we have