The shield gets thicker
and the hand that wields it
stronger,
and in foggy nights,
even blind with sleep
the left arm is ever ready

and so easy is the foe
who comes from friend
making reason politely

every gesture turned
words said undone
eyes disguise intent
spies in fellow ones

this is war, the real deal
that is seldom revealed
it is the lone warrior who knows
stories always left untold