The Scouring

They came in a single file Noiseless like wisps of smoke They'd taken their chances For they say it's always greener On the other side. From the watch tower I perceived The procession with a depressing pity They had crossed that line They had defiled our land In their innocent quest For a better day Retribution was sure to come Fist, fire and sword in varying measures I blew the horn. For that's my role as a watcher Several others rang in response Far down below the barracks stirred So vigorous it must have been a stampede Then I saw the flaming torches The cavalry. Itching for combat Sworn to protect their kin To safeguard the liberty of the land To create a formidable history To die in battle, to bask in the glory Therefore they advanced Fearless, bloodthirsty Against a crippled race A wounded lot on the trek Blighted by hunger and their wrangling Marred and charred and limping And the fire descended upon their heads Against the gates they slouched Begging for leniency Yet the gatekeeper was a valiant man And a people were roasted a rusty black While he hummed to himself An old hunting tune.