Growing up in a place
Built mainly for the celebration
Of history,
I think I understand
Scholarly inquiry into the past.

I am confused, though, by those
Who reenact old times
Without a thought to what they are doing.

Like the young men so fascinated
By war,
Who don a uniform
And play life size chess to recreate
The grandeur of war.

Grandeur?

Since when was senseless
Wasting of life
Something to be celebrated.
These guys march across a field,
Pretend to get shot,
And after acting like a casualty,
Go back to their tents,
And check their smart phones.

No dismemberment.
No death.
No outrageous national debt.

Hmm, maybe they are onto something.

Governments, pay attention.