The Art of War

So many times I try to divide,

My mind from my heart

In matters pertaining to war.

 

We need no bullets,

Or hatchets buried deep

To slice each other’s soul –

 

A loosely spoken word,

As poison as a dart

That’s touched a crimson frog.

 

A look as cold as space.

A heart as unyielding as gravity.

These weapons often star.

 

It rends my aching spirit

Creates in me a destructive  mind,

‘Cos deep inside I know.

 

Without you I’m only half,

And you can surely see –

You’ll never have to bleed for me.

…………………………………………..

 

• If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him.
• If he is in superior strength, evade him.
• If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him.
• Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
• If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
• If his forces are united, separate them.
• If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them.
• Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”

 

Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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This Tunnel

Deep inside the tunnel
A single bulb glows –
Illuminating the word ‘twist’, in orange letters
And the number eight point five.

Simultaneously
A bell chimes in the city –
Three and a half hours,
Until midnight

The Jazz bar fills
With smoke and keystrokes –
As eight bar blues dares to make an entrance
And zippo’s burn tobacco.

Tonight I stumble
Between conversations and warm scotch –
Tea coloured in seven ounce glasses
My tie sits, askew

Will I find my way –
Or will just one dead albatross hang from my ruddy neck,
Until a cool breeze drives me homewards,
To bed and forgiveness.