Life Unknown

This is dedicated to Veterans Day. Here is something to thing about when serving in the military. War is a very dangerous game to play. For real lives are lost like pawns on a chess board.

One more hill to climb,

one more mile to run,

for this unknown life,

to be done.

 

For you may know,

the words that make it so,

another life to go,

another day is done.

 

The life of a soldier,

is an honest one,

to do one’s duty,

under the blazing sun.

 

Firing the last round,

into the target beyond,

grinning with pride,

as you scored number one.

 

Feeling the rhythm of the cadence done,

marching in sync,

with everyone,

as they march as one.

 

Playing the game,

as it is supposed to be done,

you cautiously travel,

to the other one.

 

War games,

are the orders of the day,

to capture the other side,

is the objective to play.

 

Your side won,

their side lost,

to know what you have gained,

and the others have lost.

 

Many options lie before you,

to deploy to combat,

or to take some skills,

think carefully what you will.

 

Tired of training,

you are deployed,

to combat you go,

is your ploy.

 

Battle comes to you one day,

to do your worst,

and live for another day,

that is your goal to say.

 

Bullets fly across the field,

many are down,

and nothing is revealed,

for this is combat the real deal.

 

But one bullet hits you,

in the head,

you pause for a second,

and then you are dead.

 

They clean up your body,

and dress you up,

to show you parents,

what a fine man you were,

 

Another name,

on another headstone.

Author's Note

This poem is a bit graphic, perhaps not graphic enough to those joining the military.