The Purple Heart

I clutch my helmet like a teddy bear.

Hands are shaking, sweating.

My magazines are loaded, my boots are strapped,

and the other soldiers are giving me grief for how many times I’ve cleaned my gun.

Its 0600, but the mission doesn’t start until noon.  I’m thirsty for

your blood.

Your lips.

My finger rests on the trigger, ready to act at a moment’s notice.

But I’m terrified that when I see the whites, the blues, and specks of your eyes,

I’ll lose my nerve.

The round will jam in the chamber.

Words will stick at the tip of my tongue, lungs fill with cold air.

It’s no use going back to basics: I tested out of boot camp,

though I brag about how well I performed.

 

It all boils down to this:

When my future, sanity, and well-being are all on the line, will I have what it takes?

To defend what I know in my heart is right?

To take a man’s life? His lover?

To steal a kiss? To tear off my tags and surrender myself to you?

If I am killed in action,

If for some reason I get caught in the crossfire,

Know that even though I can't put my feelings into words,

I will always love you.

I will fight to defend your honor, and would gladly give my life for you.

SEMPER AMARE

Reviews

[Mockingbird]

this is a very heartfelt poem. it shows a young soldier's anxiety of being in battle, and his thoughts of the one he loves. it's sad to hear someone speak like this but also scary to not know if today is his last day of living. great imagery. poignant questions. great job.