Piper and the Dying Man

A curious little girl stumbles across a man laying against the base of bridge , staring off into the distance .

Soiled and ragged , the pain has now passed by

curious little girl what brought you here ?

why stare at me with eyes full of pity

I am a hero, a hero of this country.

-

The Scouts will find my body and The

agghh the pain courses through me again

Little girl go back home 

your mother must be worried.

-

No sense in gawking at a man drenched in water

no reason in watching me at my last moments

no use in sharing this time for it will be over

go home , grow and be what I fought for.

-

She kept staring at me , I can't fathom what it is 

is it pity ? fear ? curiosity ? 

tell me child tell me 

so I may put you at ease or sate what you seek.

-

Footsteps in the distance , I can't tell from where 

Run child , they might be the enemy 

do not die here like me 

I did this for you , do not waste a life spent.

-

 Not a single flinch , I don't understand you

The footsteps faded a relief comes over

now little girl run home , there is danger here

finally she opened her mouth to speak.

-

Why fight when you've already died ?

I can see you , like the others 

a Hero ? don't make me laugh

You left me before I came.

-

It's pure nonsense coming from you

leave me to meet my end

a fitting finale 

worthy of an honest soldier.

-

Honest soldier, is that what you are ?

what of the wife you left ? 

what of the mother crying by her bed

the father who'd lost two by now?

-

Youth ready to sing of glories are gone

replaced by bitter old men

suffering widows 

and lost children .

-

That is your fate 

Accept it for it is true 

avoid me as long as you wish

I wont be the one in pain.

-

Will wont save the ones in the trenches

Pride wont feed a starving family 

Honor wont keep a bed warm

Glory wont welcome you home.

-

Take your medal

with your cold hands 

deny my voice as long as you wish

I have all the time in the world.

-

Your Heroism wont keep you from me

Your Training can never account for me

Your Bullets wont hurt me

Your colors wont matter to me.

-

Place your faith in whatever you worship

it's different for everyone

So ponder this till you finally cave 

Where is your body and who will take your place ?

Author's Note

1st , Right 1-7
1st , Left 8- 15