“On The Handling Of Thoroughbreds” [Reflections on Sun Tsu's Art Of War #13-6 (end)]
Not everyone is smart enough,
Or big enough, or tough enough,
To handle horses finely tuned,
Like thoroughbreds – some give them room.For they can be cantankerous,
And strong enough to make a fuss;
They’re excellent, from breeding stock
Which makes them focus of the talk.So too with smartest of the breed
In military – one can see
They’re useful far beyond all words,
But hard to handle – seldom heard.For they are spies and agent-types,
Who must be handled, or they’ll fight,
Or flee the scene – the base they are
For army seeking to go far.Some Kings and their good Generals
Are capable of riding bulls,
For that’s what these folks give to them –
Ride of their lives, as top-dog men.A ruling team who gets it right,
Turns foreign spies to see their light;
Turn “Double Agent”, switching sides
(With promises and ample bribes).A wealth of info these folks bring,
And ’bout their former boss they sing;
About how other side’s set up;
And on that base, now Army’s tough –Now rulers see whom to recruit
As local spies, or moles in suits;
They now use “Dead Spies” fittingly,
And “Living Spies” effectively.Sun Tzu says treat these agents well –
Like thoroughbreds – as you can tell
From history – two dynasties,
Used double agents – were quite pleased –As they saw their ascending star
Shine brightly – both successes are
Directly from recruited spies,
Who helped them build each enterprise.I’m seeing this as normal life,
Where governments run systems tight –
Use expertise from foreign ways
To get ideas – know it pays.Lord, as I think of this from Your
Perspective, I see something more –
Our bad experience in sin,
Now doubles up Your info-bin.Not that You don’t know all this stuff,
It’s more out there, where life is tough
We learn the hard way which way’s up,
Then come to Kingdom – “Had enough!”The sum-up statement Sun Tzu says
Is, “This book shows a leader’s ways
Of doing war – those principles
Are base of actions – critical –To movements of Armed Forces now
And in the future – this is how
You can do warfare thoughtfully;
So think – or it’s the end of thee.So it’s now seven and a half
Full decades since the allies’ staff
Let loose on D-Day, massive powers,
Which toppled Hitler’s wacko towers.To me it’s fitting I’m done now,
So much to thank You for – like how
You might well view Your final task –
Defeating evil as He asked –And how we have a piece to play
As body-parts – let You display
Your presence as one entity,
’Till Kingdom comes here finally.Thanks Lord for this.
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