I found this poem the other day and it stuck in my head. Perhaps it's having read a lot of Greek & Roman non-fiction work lately, perhaps it was the news about more boys dieing in Iraq.
Whatever the reason, it made my heart ache and pray for the safe return of our armed servicemen serving overseas:
Arena Response
Morituri Salutamus.
We who are about to die, salute you,
more or less.
Because we don't want to die,
don't care to salute.
And all this mess about glory and honor
bores us.
Frankly, we're not to fond of this game,
don't give two hoots,
don't really believe that this builds character
We'd rather be home
with a wench and a brew,
cheering those padded gladiators,
Because this broken field running,
this bloody scrimmage
Just kills us.