Alone to Weep

A war poem

The dogs of war are out for blood, stalking prey so near
In the trench a fledgling soldier tries to shield his fear
Death, though still a threat, embeds its knives of terror deep
Within the heart of this young soldier left alone to weep

They’re closer now, much closer, crunching leaves beneath their boots
He c***s his weapon, takes position, aiming now to shoot
A second's thought of his dear mother flits across his mind
Her peaceful, loving ways a distant dream too far behind

He’s praying to an unseen God he’ll make it through this war
With sweaty fingers shaking on the trigger, like before
Stench of danger permeates as nostrils widely flare
Like his reddened eyes with drying tears nobody shared

Battle cries are deafening; the foe comes into sight
A pair of eyes materialise before him, wide in fright
Too close to free a bullet so he draws a vicious knife
A second to decide who gets a second chance at life

Screaming, he deploys the blade into another heart
Piercing skin and bone, all sense of reason blown apart
Eye for an eye, do or die; to kill or else be killed
Is murder in defence of his own life the higher will?

He kneels beside the body of his fallen enemy
Gently closes eyelids, signs the cross, but doesn't see
A bayonet, so stealthy, poised to make its bloody mark
Sends him plunging forward, senses sliding into dark

There beside his victim, lifeblood soaking hardened land

His fingers curl around a warm but surely dying hand
Two of seed unsown will die, no seasoned men to be

While waiting mothers bow their heads in mourning certainty

 

The battle rages, but a final unison is shaped
Of enemies who now in death no longer fight, or hate

Though their bodies won’t remain together, side by side

The souls of these young soldiers none can ever now divide
 
Battles end, but war embeds its knives of terror deep
Within the heart of every mother left alone to weep

 

Author's Note

I am Australian, so some of my spelling might not agree with that of American, ie, "defence". Please accept and ignore lol! Unless of course I've made a glaring spelling/grammatical error ... God forbid :)

Reviews

[GypsyMoonCat]

One has been kind enough to leave a comment about this. How about you? I'll return the favour!

[Shy Joe]

I enjoyed your poem. The rhyming was done right as it did not seem like it was forced. Thanks for sharing.

[GypsyMoonCat]

Thanks Shy Joe. I'm glad you enjoyed this, and appreciate your comments :P