The Goddess of War

I am the goddess of war -
your fantasy of excitement and deed.
I am the phantom of false hope,
embedded in your brain,
luring you with a marching song
and a flying flag,
inciting your direst fears...
and presenting you with your enemy for slaughter.

I will challenge you with words
like - defend and strong,
and if you should die in my game,
I will adorn your memory with well-crafted medals,
icons of my tradition and need...
and squeeze your mourners
with the vise of ridicule and shame,
if they dare to think or say...

There might be a better way