Band of Brothers

For months now the battle's raged

Weariness and fatigue have been morale’s plague

We’ve gained ground then lost it again

Advance followed by retreat does not confidence win

We’ve seen the resolve of many die in the boot 

This lack of courage scars; so many are irresolute

And the casualties...I don’t like to think about it

It's like losing a piece of yourself bit by bit

Death is followed by a skulking, discernible fear

When an officer's down there’s an alarming drear

I bring it up ‘cause it happened this morning

In a savage attack that came without warning

They pushed us back but we dug in and tried to hold

But like that telephone game, mouth-to-ear the news was told

Death was rampant, happening in every rank

An intrepid officer fell; it was then our hearts sank 

Our captain stood bravely, never shrunk from the fight

He rallied us often, in darkness was our light

But worry weighed on all; fear stood in our eyes

Not a soul believed we’d make it out alive

The situation seemed hopeless, such overwhelming odds

There was no relief coming, we were in the hands of God

It was in the midst of this most agonizing event

I crawled away from my post for a moment to lament

Beside a thick undergrowth trying to catch my breath

In that lonely, desolate spot I sat and pondered death

It was a somber moment as I faced my fears

Feeling the odds were against me making it out of here

It wasn’t the first time I’d allowed myself to wonder

About my ultimate demise; how I’d wind up six feet under

I mean, how could we help it, death’s visits were often

We knew his visage, that it would never soften

In letters my family often asked, “Aren’t you afraid to die?”

I don’t know the answer, but I’d usually reply 

I guess you get used to it, if that makes any sense,

You live with death daily it kinda loses its suspense

So I’m just resigned that death could come today

I don’t control my destiny, no other options hold sway

Well, except the one that came to my head

As I sat there seeking relief from my dread

“Came to my head,” is ill put; for a voice spoke quietly

“If you want to live,” it said “You’d be wise to follow me”

I jumped, as you can imagine, scooted a little and turned

My head to look to the voice I knew I should spurn

For it wasn’t a warning to flee an imminent danger

But a seduction to run from commitments made to others 

But it caught me at a moment when I was weak

Tempting me with thoughts I’d never dare to speak

“You should be looking out for number one;

You’ll never see these guys again after this is done

Besides you’ve got family and they depend on you;

You’ve got to do all you can to see this safely through”

I opened my ears to see if he would speak again

To see what he had in mind, what was the bargain

“Here is a way out, it’s right this way, follow me”

“Who are you?” I asked “And how did you find me?”

“Look, there’s not much time, any moment we could fall

I’m here to save you, but I can’t save them all”

I didn’t know his name, but recognized the voice

I’d heard him talk before of how he rued his choice

With bullets zinging through the air

And smoke from mortars settling there

With fear residing in my doubtful heart

Toward the bush and safety I made my start

The beguiling voice quietly cheered me on

Just a few feet more and I’d be gone

And all the reasons sounded so just

So the voice I didn’t fear to trust

But like a child pleadingly tugging at your shirt

Another voice implored me not to desert

It started out small but did quickly grow

I knew the direction I needed to go

So I stopped in my tracks and sat back down

I’ve been writing feverishly to get this all down

Just because personal safety seems right

Is no excuse to abandon others in the midst of a fight

Now the Captain’s sounding the charge

I’ll take my place, my duty I’ll discharge

And if I die, then so be it

This band of brothers I won't quit

July 2016