"Battle Won is Lost"

They said, "You are no longer a lad."
I nodded.
They said, "Enter the council lodge."
I sat.
They said, "Our lands are at stake."
I scowled.
They said, "We are at war."
I hated.
They said, "Prepare red war symbols."
I painted.
They said, "Count coups."
I scalped.
They said, "You'll see friends die."
I cringed.
They said, "Desperate warriors fight best."
I charged.
They said, "Some will be wounded."
I bled.
They said, "To die is glorious."
They lied.


Phil George

I like this poem because it has  a great message to it.  The title means that eventhough a battle is won, it is also lost.  When someone goes to war, you can win that war but you also lose many men.  The poem shows how a young boy is excited to go to war, but as the war continues, he finds that war is not worth it.