Warrior.

They mock you,
Calling you weak as they guide you
To the field of corpses, bloodied to the brim.

This is your battle ground, my friend
Where your fate is decided
Within your courage and the hands of your comrades.

Draw your weapons, your deathly blows
It is not flesh that your bullet pierces,
It is not out of fear that your knees tremble.

They salute you,
Calling you a man as they guide you
To the safety of food and comfort, bountiful in riches.

This is your honor, my friend
Where your life has been spared
Within your luck and the glassy eyes of your brothers.

Still your heart, your nervous flutters
It is not the stench of death that you smell,
It is not regret that makes you want to retch.

They reward you,
Calling you worthy as they guide you
To the door of gold, heavy in its value.

This is your day, my friend
Where you are awaited
Within the hearts of your beloved, and your newborn son.

Drown the past, the nightmarish dreams
It is not the foreseeable death that weighs on you,
It is not yet over.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Your poem is powerful & graphic with the message of how warriors are conditioned to view their courage or lack of it. Being against war & violence myself, I know many men friends who were gung-ho in their roles as warriors, back when they were brainwashed by the ever-grinding war machine in this country (USA) . . . but then years later, they regret being influenced by our habit of justified killing & they start to hate the military experience that defined their attitudes for a good many years. I often have a hard time remembering to be thankful for our warriors, even if I don't agree with the policies that drive them onward in their duties. A VERY thought-provoking poem! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Angeliki Largatzis]

Thank you very much for your kind comment, I am happy to know you've enjoyed this!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

some might call those who survive weak rather than strong and brave...in War, some seem luckier than others...they come back...a life of riches meaning not necessarily monetary but getting to have a family, have love...while other are married to their grave markers that call them heroes.
Those who go to war are brave...those who survive should not be targeted.
I really like your work.
j.

[Angeliki Largatzis]

Thank you for saying so, I have one other poem called The Walk that speaks of war but I decided to portray it a little differently with this one.

[Coyote Poetry]

I hope you are doing okay and powerful words written dear Angeliki. I was part of the team of soldiers that clean-up Death valley in Iraq. War, death and murder. Leave us harder and colder. Thank you for sharing the powerful and worthwhile words.
Coyote

[Angeliki Largatzis]

Thank you for your comment, I am glad you think so and have enjoyed this!

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy and you are welcome Angeliki.

[keith]

'my blade is sharp and it's death blow is forever'

so well written … there is a beat of different measure unlike the traditional write ...
this covers so many categories of poetry and this is free verse at it's best!
i will be engaging many more of your writes.

[Angeliki Largatzis]

Thank you very much for your kind comment!

[emipoemi]

Not sure if there's a specific significance to the usage of "son" or whether you're just playing off the usual trope that such warriors would have sons and not just children (which kind of undermines the heart of the message, as well as other factors). But that aside, this is amazing!! The structure is great, easy to follow, and the power that every line brings is like a wise hermit giving the necessary advice to the hero in order to succeed in their life. That last line just speaks volumes and is a killer ending to an overall magnificent poem. Well freaking done!!

[Angeliki Largatzis]

Thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[emipoemi]

my pleasure.