A WARRIOR'S LAMENT

we kill we die
we ask not why
for it is the warriors' way
to take the fight
where ere we might
that we might win the day

we have great pride
and fear inside
as off we go to war
to do or die
our skills to ply
as those gone by before

and when it's done
though failed or won
we recall the friends we lost
and live in peace
as pains increase
for only we can know the cost

some will sleep
some we'll keep
but most of us will cry
as we do wait
to meet our fate
for in the end we all must die