Pure is the hubris, cowardly is the false belief in self
Empires will die from this hubris that smothers
With their dreams of victory broken
After a time, there will be no hope left
At Islawanda, South Africa
The Horns of the Buffalo defeated an empire
Spears and courage versus royal cannon and pride
King Cetshwayo's Zulu army filled with spirits of fire
Over and again it has been the arrogance alone
That has led to catastrophes, and military loss
Imagining and diminishing the mind of a foe
A leader's army in battle will pay the cost
Bunker Hill, Diem Bien Phu, Tet, Mogadishu, Iraq
Winds still carry the scent of bodies in decay
Memories of ire, innocence burning on pyres
In tragic reliving of the victories of yesterday
1942, Singapore was impervious to attack, from the sea
The British empire now ignored a land threat of assault
By such an act by the Japanese, the empire was defeated
Arrogance is a disease, leading one to toxic decisions
Ignoring a foe's abilities, despair when upon the field
For rising above the battle's din, failed missions
Ringing most loudly is hubris, failure
Death becomes the yield
