The heat of the jungle burns at my back
my third month in the bush
the chill of death keeps me flush
while awaiting the next attack
Death surrounds me on all sides
bullets, bombs, and screams
they are the sounds of the tides
they are all I can hear in my dreams
Etched into the stock of my gun
a long line of tick marks
no remorse for the dead
the marks my bounty
for each and every head
Upon a sentry, I did come
his back to me as he scribbled in pen
I reached and pulled my knife
I snuck upon him quietly and it was then
with one silent stroke across his neck
I took his life
A letter dropped from his hand
I reached down and plucked it from the ground
In a quiet alcove, I sit to empty my boots of sand
I began to read the letter written to him
My heart broke at what I found
\"My dearest love
God has delivered unto us
an angel from up above
In one more week you will be done
I can\'t wait to walk down the aisle with you
I can\'t wait for you to hold our son
So, whatever you do
stay on guard and watch your back
and remember our life is you\"
My heart pounded
once again, I felt
the demons of war had caught up to me
I began to write a reply as I knelt
I\'m so sorry, Mary
Jim will never see his son
You will not be his wife
you see I met him on the battle field today
and it was there I took his life
The only comfort I have to offer is that
You have a weapon more powerful than any war
your words of love have defeated this soldier
I ask your forgiveness
for I cannot carry on anymore
There is but one life left I take
In the middle of this war my soul will wake
next to his body they did find
a note to Mary
a note to remind.