Rods of Steel Will Bend

I heard the steady cadence The drum roll in the street A thousand tramping soldiers Tasting of defeat. The sound of occupation I thought it could not be, A flag so full of justice Would always flutter free. I had dreamed a thousand dreams And cast them to the wind But often had forgotten Even rods of steel will bend. Raucous laughter melted In the wake of dust and steam Then suddenly awakened I found it all a dream.