"A note on solemn war..."

A note on solemn war:
the charnel stench of all medals
the tide of tears through every marching song
the black scream blotted over the heads of orators
behind the scenes, the sound of creaking, higher into hysteria
the cold implacable murder in national anthems
the strait-jacket badge of cruel insanity in uniforms'
the ferreting out an rewarding of childish aggression, bullying
     vainglory, relentless hate
A note on solemn war:
     the charnel stench of all medals.

William Stafford (Another World Instead, Elgin, IL, 8/17/1945)