WAR

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.