Disease of Rome

[Atehequa]

Crosses, numbers, woodpeckers and wolves
How well we know these old symbols of hate
Hammers, Wotan's eye and the love of Jesus
The constant fear that their influence will abate
 
Families, flocks, herds and fierce warriors
Drifting southwest searching for a new home
Trampling over dying olive skin Latin imperialists
These invaders contracted the disease of Rome
 
Franks, Goths, Lombards and the Vandals
End of an oppressive empire, new sign of hope
Yet as with the fierce Angles, Jutes and Saxons
Becoming sword wielding vassals of the Pope
 
Old Gaul, Hispania, Illyricum and Italia  
Bloodstained blades, crosses on their shields
Same as Britannia, Caledonia and Hibernia
How swiftly their new homes become battlefields
 
Conquest, Holy Empire and Kingdom of Heaven
Well over a thousand bloody years of reveling in wars
Africa, Asia, oceans, islands and on to the Americas
Spread these descendants of Teutons and Roman whores

[Juniperberry]

Crosses, numbers, woodpeckers and wolves
How well we know these old symbols of hate
Hammers, Wotan's eye and the love of Jesus
The constant fear that their influence will abate
 
Families, flocks, herds and fierce warriors
Drifting southwest searching for a new home
Trampling over dying olive skin Latin imperialists
These invaders contracted the disease of Rome
 
Franks, Goths, Lombards and the Vandals
End of an oppressive empire, new sign of hope
Yet as with the fierce Angles, Jutes and Saxons
Becoming sword wielding vassals of the Pope
 
Old Gaul, Hispania, Illyricum and Italia  
Bloodstained blades, crosses on their shields
Same as Britannia, Caledonia and Hibernia
How swiftly their new homes become battlefields
 
Conquest, Holy Empire and Kingdom of Heaven
Well over a thousand bloody years of reveling in wars
Africa, Asia, oceans, islands and on to the Americas
Spread these descendants of Teutons and Roman whores

You know, I've been reading a lot of WWII lit lately and the one thing that's so inspiring is that moment when the stronger soldier always seems to realize the humanity of his enemy, even as he's in the process of taking his life. I cannot imagine the mental strength and compassion one must have to love and understand a fellow human being even as they both strive to kill the other. These men were amazing and have a unique wisdom in both life and spirit that blows me away.

Interestingly, a LOT of war veterans go on to pursue careers in teaching, construction, etc. Basically, they hope to teach and create rather than hold on to destruction and hatred, even after all they'd been through. Again, what absolutely amazing and inspiring people.

Sorry for the ramble. But art is meant to be thought-provoking I suppose.

[Atehequa]

You know, I've been reading a lot of WWII lit lately and the one thing that's so inspiring is that moment when the stronger soldier always seems to realize the humanity of his enemy, even as he's in the process of taking his life. I cannot imagine the mental strength and compassion one must have to love and understand a fellow human being even as they both strive to kill the other. These men were amazing and have a unique wisdom in both life and spirit that blows me away.

Interestingly, a LOT of war veterans go on to pursue careers in teaching, construction, etc. Basically, they hope to teach and create rather than hold on to destruction and hatred, even after all they'd been through. Again, what absolutely amazing and inspiring people.

Sorry for the ramble. But art is meant to be thought-provoking I suppose.

Oh no problem. As an old angler once told me - "Top water flies and lures rarely attract the bottom feeders"