Army of None

A villanelle poem

ARMY OF NONE

What army can fight as an army of none
Yet stand and prevail at the end of the day
And succeed without shot or powder or gun

With no mace or blade to slash or to stun
What hope will it hold to succeed in the fray
What army can fight as an army of none

What bolsters the heart like the blaze of the sun
To bring down those who would hunt men as prey
And succeed without shot or powder or gun

With courage too strong when the battle is run
To give way to sword that would butcher and flay
What army can fight as an army of none

What bodiless ghosts can best tyranny's sons
By raising men's spirits ere enemies slay
And succeed without shot or powder or gun

Truth and freedom alone are that army of none
Inspiring men's souls to carry the day
What army can fight as an army of none
And succeed without shot or powder or gun