Repeating History?

Since time began Man's gone to war
His desire to conquer and explore
New boundaries and rich foreign lands
Meant the drawing up of battle plans.

Through forced marches and harsh discipline
Well-led warriors would win
New tracts of land and take control;
Then once again the dice would roll...

Old enemies later might turn friends
For economic reasons, make amends
But hiding in the wings lay War
Peace often died upon the floor.

Too many battles through the ages
Flip through history's blood-stained pages
Charismatic leaders “with a mission”
Wreaked havoc with wars of attrition.

Peace advocates are pushed aside
We're left to mourn those who have died
There's always a new Waterloo;
Why do we do this? I ask you!

(c) Poet in the woods 2015