It raged around me and I refused to see the bullets race,

I declined the black invitation edged in guilt to see you suffer

and I purposely lost the war

so I could win the fight,

that I could see your enemy square in the eyes

and outline their own blood that they tasted

with bitterness, the sadness they had caused you.

 

I lost the war with rational intention…

 

I lost the war and abandoned territory, but by doing so

I won the fight and gained self-respect…