The Cost of War

By ArdentTly

Xena stood, her hair blowing free

And gazed across the field.

She tried in vain so hard to see

What the Fates would not reveal.

The war raged on, she would not be stalled;

She had her bard to find.

Her heart screamed 'Kill them All!'

But visions of Gab filled her mind.

As the blood began to boil in her veins

And the bodies to pile high,

Gab could see where hatred reigns

And screamed to the heavens: Why?

She fought to be by her friend's side

But watched as he fell to a blow.

And she held him close as he died;

Her doubt and self pity did grow.

She wailed and cried and beat the earth

In an effort to make sense of it all.

She looked inside to see self worth

But any light was covered in pall.

When Xe finally stood by her side,

She watched with growing sorrow.

Her feelings were mixed with fear and pride

And she wondered about the morrow.

Was it her Fate to change the world?

If so, just at what cost:

The innocence of a Potedeian girl?

She knew then her soul was lost.

 THE END

© ArdentTly December, 1998

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