clumsily walking around soldiers of mercy

annoyed with their task

sparkling green attire, smiles worn as a mask

giving a helping offer with one hand

shooting strangers with the other, obeying a command

hearing the voices of people unknown

wondering at being there as he’s thrown

he feels his flesh cold, his body shivers

red roses gushing he can’t stop the quivers

remembers home with many promises

childhood dreams, stolen kisses

he couldn’t recall why he was there

the pain was more that he could bear

another cry, a body next to his

just a child, her face was amiss

oh, help me lord to make this right

why are we fighting this unjust fight

we came with hope, my mother proud

the father covers the child under a shroud

he is crying ignoring his own

missing limbs, his arm is blown

the father gives me water, cleans my face

comforts me with words I cannot place

my mother’s only son, a father’s only daughter

how to endure the longing, they’ll have for the other

it’s getting dark all around, I know

only minutes for me to show

I grabbed his hand, set it on my heart

this isn’t my war, I wanted no part

he didn’t know my language, nor did I his

but we understood how each person feels

we knew the language of regret, the words of sorrow

no words could describe the repent in my marrow

I closed my eyes; it was time to leave

my mother’s tears, my father’s grieve

I feel their love as my body dies

the love is next to me in this father’s eyes