Sound the Drums

We have always been careful, Avoiding conflict, Shunning hostility, Confronting squabble, But none of us were prepared when the elders called: “Sound the drums!” Discord erupted, No one was certain of what to do, So we scrambled to the dusted weapons our ancestors had left for us, “Those are for warriors!” a villager cried, “Not for simple minded farmers and shepherds like us!” But still we fought. Through the battle, The chaos, The endeavor. Some ran, Some ran far, Far away. Many were lost, Many forgotten, And the ones who ran remembered, When they called: “Sound the drums.”