Progress

 

I stood on the fortification,

With the battle sound brave in my ear,

And my chieftain safe in the earthworks,

Sent me a flaming spear.

 

I threw the spear with a vengeance,

Not knowing where it would go,

And my liege lord safe in the castle keep,

Sent me an arrow and bow.

 

I fired the arrow skyward,

And looked to see what I'd done,

And my captain safe in the armoury,

Sent me the loaded gun.

 

I fired my gun from the trenches,

Wishing the day would pass,

And my general safe in a distant land,

Sent me the mustard gas.

 

I laid out the gas like a blanket,

Over Passchendaele Ypres and the Somme,

And my scientist safe in his ivory tower,

Sent me the nuclear bomb.

 

I dropped my bomb on the city,

And mankind felt the searing pain,

Then no-one was safe in the whole wide world,

And never will be again.