Earl Schumacker Poet Free verse

Out Flanking the Phalanx

Out Flanking The Phalanx

Roman Soldiers like to drink
So I sent them out to battle Hannibal
A simple mission not for sober men
First to the Cannae Battle, 216 BC with lots of sun and debauchery
Then on to Tribia
It came to pass with sun on every side
More so for Hannibal and his forces who survived the battle 
With tactics honored to this day on how to slay your foe
I told my men don’t move too slow
Perhaps I should have said don’t go
If you want to build a proper wedge the echelon wedge is perfect
Add the double envelopment and pincer movements to seal the deal
No postage needed 
With those three tactics Hannibal left my men for dead or bleeding
In any event, defeated  
When at Tribia, I ordered my men to clean at Lake Trasemine                                              (remembering that they stink) and to wait for war   
A consummate debacle by the Roman war machine unfolded
Legions flanked, lined up to die
Utilizing only brute force they marched in phalanx manner
Over 80 thousand strong, with breath and body odor to over power.
(They had no showers)
Annihilation got in the way of their success 
Blinded by the sun and intellect designs of Hannibal 
The light of day came by the compliments of nature
Utilized by Hannibal at no extra fee to blind his enemy
But charged them to the lake to trap the Roman forces there
In a Carthaginian standpoint 
What started as a laundry day and cleaning of the roman forces
Soon became a blood bath on the shore
My legions defeated by a masterpiece of battle tactics
No Romans….. No more….
The locals commented at the sight
Dying is no way to make a living, they’d say
They were happy to see the fighting end
And get back to fishing once again 
I would have promised all my men a trip to Disney world
If they had won and if it existed
But they died so didn't miss it
Too bad they ever enlisted  

                                                                             6/18/14 Roman Legion contest

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Poet Destroyer A July 18, 2014 at 3:54 PM Hi Earl,Thanks for the reply on my comment...Linda

Justin Bordner July 2, 2014 at 1:25 AM A powerful poem which reminds us all not underestimate the adversary Earl, a tenant to valuable to challenge. So glad you chose to honor Hannibal, who from the time he was a child was taught and prepared by his father Hamilicar to destroy Rome. J.A.B. Earl Schumacker July 2, 2014 at 10:24 AM Good day Justin, Coming from you that is high praise. Thank you for your interest and kind words. Have a great day. Earl

Arlene Smith July 1, 2014 at 6:38 AM Congrats on a great win, Earl! I think perhaps wars should be decided with a good fishing contest!.. Hugs.. Arlene Earl Schumacker July 1, 2014 at 6:58 AM Good morning Arlene, Thank you very much. Agreed. Fishing is fun and healthy. War is not. Have a great day. Take care. Earl

Poet Destroyer A June 30, 2014 at 10:29 PM nice win..PD Earl Schumacker July 1, 2014 at 12:28 AM Hi Linda, Thanks. This is not my cup of tea. It was a challenge for me as I do not like to write about wars and battles. It was a good language exercise. Thanks for commenting. Take care. Earl