At a War Cemetery (Lip Service)

I came upon serried ranks Of once-men who'd given their all, Silent sentinels who'd known fear, Pain and terror before their fall. They'd stared the grim Reaper in the face And knew their time had come. But there were those who knew not that Their lives were a rounded sum. Some in distant lands had fought For causes they knew not what A vague concept of patriotism In them was drummed and taught. Cannon-fodder or grist to mill You may call it what you want A budding life, a blooming soul Sacrificed to dogma and cant. Time passes by, we sing their praise And recall their valiant sacrifice. We thank them for all they did, And forget them in a trice. For such is the folly of a war For whate'er cause it's fought The soldiers give their ultimate And soon they are all forgot!