Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

when the dark times come

and manifest themselves

at our collective doorsteps. . .

when the terror becomes real

unbridled violence and destruction

right in front of us;

when we can smell it all. . .

when that war is at our doorsteps

it is the dark men we must turn to

to save us. . .

when the light needs preserving

from the darkness comes our best chance

to save it

Author's Note

Reviews

[James Foley]

Dave,
Damn! I had no idea that Latin is your second language: "If you want peace, prepare for war." Good advice, and possibly timely given the world situation today.
I like this poem a lot. Not only is it very well written with its drumbeat development of its theme, but there is something magical, almost mystical in its allusion to "the dark men".
All the best.
James Foley

[Davidgeo]

Ha... I don't really speak latin of course, I just know some of the catchy phrases and mottos. I'm not sure how they did it in the Navy but in the Army every unit has it's own little motto in Latin. "Volens Et Potens" (willing and able) was my last units motto (B, 1/320th, 2bct, 101st).