An old man came to me, on that warm summer day.

“Watch for the girl with the red bouquet,

She will bring the answers you seek.”

He said, his voice riddled with a squeak.

I ignored the man, as I had to travel off to war.

I fought in a battle many didn’t stand for.

As I arrived, there was a powerful heat.

We all sat down, not wanting to feel beat.

Tomorrow we did battle,

Our whole lives would shake and rattle.

We didn’t sleep at all, not a wink.

As we woke up, the battle was on the brink.

Hundreds of men, even more guns,

This was not a story we would tell to our sons.

We ran across the vast and empty field

To an enemy that we knew would never yield.

I saw men fight all the way to death,

I watched too many take their last breath.

At the end, I saw a small village, full of lost friends.

I realized this now, all of us were just means to ends.

I looked at Sergeant Rock, a friend and commander,

Then to Private Jim, an ally and demander.

All that was left was to escape with our lives.

We looked to sons, daughters, and wives.

They were innocent, but belonged to the enemy.

That was when death and I did disagree.

I saw it, for the old man was suddenly right.

The girl with the red bouquet gave me might.

Jim and Rock stood now at my sides,

We looked on to the western tides.

“Today is not our day to die.” Said Rock,

“We just have to make it through the fortified block.”

I did not want to say, but it was time for another fight.

Let us hope that people see what I’m doing as right.

The little girl, holding her dying bouquet stood aside,

We fought and we fought, but she just cried.

They always said to “Protect and Serve,”

So I will give this girl what I don’t deserve.

Through the battle lines we go,

In her face, I see that familiar glow.

The glow of a child, but it faded,

Like painting, long ago painted.

“Rock,” I said, “Did we do the right thing?”

“No, I don’t think so, but all will be forgotten in Spring.”

I look down at the child, and back up at Rock.

A friend, a devil, an ally, an absolute warhawk.

Our days are ending, but in a blissful way.

We were finally out of the eternal doomsday.

I look back now, and the old man was right,

I got my life answers in my mind to ignite.

My purpose was to keep others safe,

By making myself completely unsafe.

I write now in my journal, retelling my story.

Alas, I will never again feel the glory.