Stanza 58


58

Now with this benediction he departs
And all the villagers with grateful hearts
Observe until his car is out of sight.
Then as the victims of this evil plight
Engage themselves in those activities
That occupy their daily energies,
Our venue changes to a conference room
Within the compound, where we now resume
Marine perspectives. Here the staff had met
In hopes their unit would avoid regret
That comes from insufficient readiness.
They listened with respect to the address
The colonel gave, and each in turn explained
How he would implement the tasks ordained
And what he needed to achieve each goal.
The doctrine of decentralized control
Which governed the creation of the plan
Required that input come from every man.
Thus company commanders and XOs
Contributed until the meeting's close.