Soldier

This is not the land he grew to love,
but fights like hell to save,
if only by bayonets, bombs and planes.
There seems no other way.

 When civil war exerts its hand,
there is no wrong, no right.
The prudent thing for troops: bring home.
It’s theirs, not ours to solve.

 Provide no ordinance, planes, or guns.
Do not risk taking sides.
Let violence take the course it will,
until all violence dies.

 Then help those left to bind their wounds.
Provide the aid that’s asked.
And keep your own troops back at home. 
Rebuilding is not their task.