Those men in their own land

The edges of their dreams
are tarnished by
gunpowder soot
The hopes covered by layers
of blood and grime
Naughty-boy school shoes
trampled by army boots.

The spires of their temples
have toppled even
as their God lives on
feebly in their hearts.
The light in their women's eyes
has dulled to an ash-grey.

Did they want war?
Much has happened.
But the world will still say
they were not men enough
to just keep their children safe
and bring home the cattle
every evening.