Grief

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He fell in battle sorely wounded, slow to death he would succumb.
Fighting madly until fallen, a brave soldier with his gun.
Through violent noise and hindered vision, I ran to where my friend now lay,
As his life was gently slipping, the battle did not slow its rage.
I clasp his hand to still his panic, but saw a smile upon his lips,
I heard his voice in peaceful calmness “tell me that I will be missed.”
“You will my friend, I’ll miss you greatly,” I whispered as I softly cried,
“And not just I, buy all your comrades, shall weep to know that you have died.”
His life drained slowly through my fingers, dripping quietly on the ground.
He never let his smile diminish, never entertained a frown.


“Take these words back to our country, tell every friend of mine you find,
I did not die this day a coward, but let my badge of honor shine.
Repeat to them this battle’s numbers, and what it cost their men of war,
In mournful tones recant this moment, when I fell to fight no more.
Tell I did more than my duty, I faced the enemy eye to eye,
Say I fought brave every minute, with my comrades by his side.
I chose the way of many soldiers, who died for what they each believed,
Tell my mother I died happy, I do not wish her heart to grieve.
Tell my dad to stand up proudly, his son with honor fell today,
I could have a chose a path much different; I knew this was a soldier’s pay.
Tell my brothers and my sisters, that this was mother’s greatest fear.
Tell them all to stand by ready, to wipe away her coming tears.
Remember me in future settings, when comrades start to spin their tales,
Toast my life then lying silent, with a golden glass of ale.
Say I gave all, would still be giving, though some might think it was in vain,
My life’s ledger now is balanced… say he found peace inside his pain.”

His voice now quiet and somewhat weary, he whispered then his last good bye,
His grip loosened on my fingers, I softly closed my comrade’s eyes.

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