Foot Soldier.

We were sent to fight a war
that we didn’t believe in,
knowing that there would be
civilian casualties.
Paid a pittance
to be on the front line
facing hostiles every day.
Privately hating
the faceless generals
who stayed hidden
in the bunkers
giving their orders.

Many were wounded,
left for dead,
injured in ways
that civilians
wouldn’t understand -
because some of us
had morals.
And though we fought back
and rebelled
against the pointless
slaughter of innocents,
we were branded
trouble causers
for disobeying orders.

We watched
our ideals
bleed from
open wounds.
Easy targets
for the band wagon jumpers.

Now
honourably
discharged.

Anti-War
does not mean
anti-soldier
just as
anti-Banks
should not mean
anti-bank clerk.