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Battle

The war of words is done;
    The red-lipped cannon speak;
  The battle has begun.
  The web your speeches spun
    Tears and blood shall streak;
  The war of words is done.
  Smoke enshrouds the sun;
    Earth staggers at the shriek
  Of battle new begun.

 Poltroons and braggarts run:
  Woe to the poor, the meek!
 The war of words is done.

 "And hope not now to shun
  The doom that dogs the weak,"
 Thunders every gun;

 "Victory must be won."
  When the red-lipped cannon speak,
 The war of words is done,
 The slaughter has begun.

Notes

Composition date is unknown - the above date represents the first publication date.
The lyrical form of this poem is villanelle.

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Comments

  • Lovespoon
    March 5, 2004
    Edit | Reply
    Yes, A Villanelle.
    Battle (Villanelle)

    The war of words is done;
    The red-lipped cannon speak;
    The battle has begun.


    The web your speeches spun
    Tears and blood shall streak;
    The war of words is done.


    Smoke enshrouds the sun;
    Earth staggers at the shriek
    Of battle new begun.


    Poltroons and braggarts run:
    Woe to the poor, the meek!
    The war of words is done.


    "And hope not now to shun
    The doom that dogs the weak,"
    Thunders every gun;


    "Victory must be won."
    When the red-lipped cannon speak,
    The war of words is done,
    The slaughter has begun.

    Edited on Mar 05, 10:16 because ''.