adumbrate

Too oft is has come to pass
that enthusiasm overrides
my sense and blinds me to
the little clues littered about
that adumbrate the inevitable end.
So stupefied, I stand still
until time creates a distance
of its own to mitigate the steps
I could not take in the wake
of another defeat. And yet,
this time I enter eyes wide,
but still no suggestion
of impending destruction
can I see.  I wonder
if I'm wearing blinders
or if, for once, there are
no flags of surrender
crimson from bloody battle
waving me off.