The call comes;
some answer it.
Others stay--
"The call is not for us.
Look... they go.
We do not.
The call is not for us."
I am one of these,
for better or for worse.
Call us what you wish,
but don't pretend that we don't know
that we can never know what war is.
The fear
so constant
Eyes darting everywhere, watching everything, watching
for the metal ring that could mean death is near--
ready to counter, ready to fight, ready to run,
anything to live five more minutes.
Fighting for a country?
What country?
I'm here; it's not; it doesn't matter to me
it is nothing to me!
The determination
so steadfast
Steel fingers wrapped around a barrel and stock,
never shaking, never faltering--heavy boots creeping in the mud,
solid but quiet--steps so sure that they could be a march.
Death? There is no death, for heroes live on in memory
This is where I matter most;
I will be remembered.
