I felt his breath leave the battle field <br />as bayonet pierced his heart. <br />The surprise of death lay in his eyes <br />his blood poured warmth upon my hands, <br />anointing my soul with his. <br /> <br />His flow of life will find the earth <br />to merge with victims past <br />and another ghost will follow me, <br />shouting for my demise. <br /> <br />This lowly man who took the shilling <br />as Judas took his thirty, <br />now looks across this no man's land <br />for this corruption belongs to me. <br /> <br />Beneath this mud <br />lies the dreams of men <br />the commandments of life, <br />now lost within these decaying bones <br />for this war has silenced them. <br /> <br />And up above heaven receives <br />the righteous who take their place, <br />but the blood of my victims <br />are now a moat <br />and I would surely drown. <br />The dreams I have taken <br />will guard the gates <br />while angels turn their back to me. <br /> <br />I am the soldier who orchestrates the kill <br />my sins can wait in heaven. <br />The Holy Ghost can watch his time <br />for I am Lord this day. <br /> <br />It takes a soldier to humble the gods <br />for their power lies with me <br />a solitary man who has done his duty. <br />So God, send your laurels to me. <br /> <br /> I am one of millions <br />Destined to be forgotten <br />But men were born with tears <br />our tears will match <br />any storm that you can send <br />For we are the battle <br />and death is our destiny <br /> <br />We who feed this moat of blood <br />now fear the morning mist rise? <br />For this grey belongs to dead men's dreams, <br />their sweet stench a reminder <br />of what's to come. <br />For tomorrow, I will be one of them. <br /> <br />Bury me deep <br />God must not find me <br />Anonymity will be my peace <br />Only Mother, <br />will remember me.<br /><br />Steven Cooke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/after-the-battle-ww1/
