Notes Before Going... Poem by RIC BASTASA

it's over.
I'll leave a note,
i did not fight my wars
i let them pass
i viewed each fighter
with dismay
how they failed
and died, and so i think i was wise enough to use my sound discretion,
i did not fight my wars
i let them be.

i watched every mistake
i think i learned a lot.

my teachers gave my silence an honorable name.
and they always remember me for that.

i did not fight any war,
i simply watched and listened.

those who died cursed me
but i did not bother.

before i go, i must tell them this wisdom.
in not fighting my wars,

i won.