A poem written decades ago, you might guess when. Hint: it was when I first was exposed to the politicians and bureaucrats in WDC and realized the goal was not the greater good but party and personal power.
V
V is for victory, but sometimes it is difficult
To decide who won and who lost
For the maimed wander all the lands
And the dead have become sunk costs
V is for virtue, upon which we were called
Except not those scions of houses tall
Who deferred their service here and there
Until there was no need at all
V is for vanity, which set the whole thing off
But not the egotism of those who obey
Rather those who avow they lead,
And allege to know the way
V is for vulgar, like those who lead from behind
For if a vow be broken and we are called to fight
For those who lead to stay at home,
Is profane within our sight
V is for vicissitude, which batters like a storm
The swirling winds our loyalty tests
Each wave our fortitude erodes
While we continue to lose our best
V is for victory, though the costs mount high
We’ll fight to regain our land
From those we thought would lead us on
But became a grasping hand