The final word in war

is not the emanating

chemical,

not the silencing

explosion,

nor the settling

of heavy cavalry…

what subdues giants

in battle

is the coddling

of their own

deficiencies,

the salient soothing

of their secret terrors

Calypso keeps

men asleep

with sweet scented lullabies

affirming doubt,

praising the stagnant

soldier with

a full belly

and dead hours

and in a sudden

eternity

he ages into infanthood

Oh, Beware, giants!

Beware the soft

alluring hand,

Beware her lips

and gentle breath

that brings to war

and everything

worthwhile living

Death.