The Harsh School Master

 War is a harsh School Master. You must trust me on this.

I learned that armor helps the warrior feel safe. But, it is heavy.
The trade off is, it slows you down. Leaves you vulnerable.
If your vehicle catches fire, there is no egress.

That big gun on the turret of tanks is impressive.
It, too, slows one down, and the supply of shells, if they catch fire
will cook-off, explode, kill the entire crew.

Perhaps you never witnessed a flame thrower
take a round, charring the wearer to ember?

What lessons, these?

Every fabrication of your true self is, at best, risky
and, at worse, tragic.

It will, eventually, slow your progress, or halt it altogether.
Sooner or later, that mask you insist is necessary, convenient
will completely diminish your true personality
and you will only fool yourself.

Your image is flammable. It can be reduced to ember if nothing
but a poor facade, incapable of rescue.

War teaches you must eventually walk in your own boots
know your capabilities and limitations
exercise your wisdom and forsake your foolishness.

Masks limit your vision, impair your progress, and limit
your potential.

Masks are impossible to maintain. The time will come
you will be discovered a fraud.

As hard as truth is, it is the only path to hope.

I speak this to your benefit.
Ignore me at your peril.

I am war.