The Pup.

He's now a man no more a boy,
Eighteen summers, and one day old,
Still a pup in his mentors eyes,
But he feel invincible, and so alive.

The pup is eager to join the fight,
The blood lust takes him, he almost flies,
The senior veteran holds him back,
"You'll get your chance pup, death can wait"

His fingers itchy, the gun feels light,
He heeds the order, but only just,
His heart is thumping, inside his chest,
The battle noise, is like song and dance.

The com squeaks out, "Engage at will"
The young pup charges, he wants a kill.
The first engagement will test him well.
He'll be a hero or dine in hell.

His gun is barking its battle song.
Just like in practice, many times before.
When its all over he'll be like them
A battle brother, bloodied in hell.