ONCE YOUNG MEN WHO SMILED

Where no gods reside
The battlefield sighs
Long and tender upon
Twisted barbed wire
In moonlights desire
Cannons red fire.

Tainted and bowed
The dead echo loud
In shadows of night
Dancing in air
Smoke filled
Aware.

Spirits solemnly sit
Half circles that wish
To have one more kiss
From loved ones afar
Now Heavens gate
Is ajar.

They leave one at a time
Disappearing in lime
At each level of graves
Now deaths honoured slaves
Forgotten to time
Memories linger awhile
No chance for goodbyes
Once young men who smiled.