War

The definition of war is the waging of armed conflict against an enemy. At least, that's the simple way to put it. Explaining it in full would be like explaining quantum physics to a five-year-old child. To put it into terms that remain simple yet is an expanded form would be -

A dark shadow spreads across the land,
Full of fear and greed,
Bringing death and depression
To any that stand in its path.

It swallows once peaceful meadows,
And destroys playful memories.
What it leaves is painful,
Emptiness and nothing hopeful.

Is it a monster?
It surely creates destruction.
Is it the creator of darkness?
Its only purpose is surely to spread pain.

Such a fearsome beast,
It is but a word,
Its description is meaningless,
Just as its reasons are too many to be clear.

A creator of darkness,
This shadow is not.
It was born by darkness,
In the feelings that ravage the heart.

How does it begin?
It burns with separation.
How does it spread?
It travels with burning dreams.

The shadow is fed its favorite-
The betrayal of allies,
An endless supply of fuel-
Of imperialism and pride.

The shadow spreads far and wide,
On the wings of burning dreams,
Falling to the ground,
Where the innocent despair.

What is this shadow?
It is darkness in which no light can shine.

*Note(Update): I have added the beginning of my story to this poem so that reviews can be generated more towards the story idea rather than the poem as a stand-alone. I have loved the reviews I have received, they have all been helpful. If you choose to rate and review this as a stand alone then please mention this in your review.
*Note: The beginning of the story and the poem are set together as a journal entry and, in the story (at least for the first book of this trilogy) it was never finished.