bentonh@sri-unix (08/19/82)
Wars End
Bolt up screaming from a nightmare
In the darkness thoughts turn black
One desire, to be elsewhere
Glad to suffer any lack
Dreamt that evil walked my forest
Hacked with axes limbs from trees
None escaped, not the poorest
Unhealed wounds, death by degrees
Their lives return none can afford
I sought revenge under a spell
Hate filled my eyes, Satan's reward
Blood suckled devil, get thee to Hell
Dreaming again, a battle not won
For each friend killed, the toll of a bell
No pullback called, the war rages on
Fighting's intense; my name's on this shell ...
Lacking his arm, not bearing his shield;
Lacking his death, on armor can't lay still
Clutching at life, late borne from the field
Resolve builds within: won't again kill
Years have passed, wounds through healing
But scars on his mind, pain only increasing
Game arm can touch, but he has no feeling
Friends cannot know, no way of releasing
Marine's taught lessons, well implanted
As boots they learned to always fight
The oath once taken, not recanted
Was easy at first, knew they're right
Neither country nor wife need him more
Resolve builds again, he knows what to do
Remembers the years, wonders what for
Lays out his medals, and .45 too
Benton Holzwarth
...teklabs!tekid!bentonh