Bulletproof (for 11/11/16)

Bulletproof

 

You’re alone with God tonight,

Duty made you join the fight.

Here you are: a field in France -

Cold and fear, you’re in a trance…

 

Orders come along the line -

The hour is near: lights will shine.

Steal your heart, and close your eyes -

It’s your turn, say your goodbyes.

 

Raise your chin, now stand up tall,

Feel the pride before you fall,

Fix your knife, and raise your gun -

Hear the bombs? They have begun.

 

Over the top, you will go,

To take your turn in the show.

Cannon fire: the shells explode -

A pregnant pause to reload.

 

Stand in line to be mowed down,

In the mud, to die and drown.

The bullets fly, all around -

Your comrades fall to the ground.

 

Feel the barbs along the wire,

Dodging the machine gun fire,

Tommy’s down, and Jerry’s dead -

Nightmares are not just for bed.

 

You’re bulletproof, it might seem,

Back in the trench - just a dream…

A brief respite, fewer friends,

Then regroup - it never ends.

 

Soon your luck is running out:

A viper bite, then a shout,

Now your mouth can taste the mud,

Your uniform red with blood.

 

They leave you there, all alone,

This the end – you’ve always known,

Destined to die far from home,

A simple ghost, freed to roam.

 

A telegram, and then tears -

News confirms her darkest fears:

‘Deeply regret to inform…’

In her heart, a raging storm.

 

Jennifer Pickup (10/11/16)