Surprise Attack
A new battle is soon, or so I hear
Why do I hesitate? What do I fear?
Clutching my rifle, gut full of beer
Brain in a jumble at enemies leer
I speak to the captain, “I want to be first.”
“We will see,” he replies with a violent thirst.
“This battle’s a stalemate!” I say, ready to burst.
“Patience,” he whispers, his tone at its worst
I continue to kill, to cry and to bleed
In familiar trenches, at familiar speed
Perpetual battle, will I ever be freed?
Guns hid grouse, and I last… Patience, indeed.
The soldiers, they know about the new battle,
I speak of my interest, they huddle like cattle
“A surprise attack, I may join in,” I tattle
They stare at me solemnly, idle guns rattle
Those who I fought with stood blankly, surprised
Those I drew blood with never replied
My closest of comrades, betrayed, just lied —
“It won’t happen,” said they, afraid inside.
Months pass and the soldiers forget my fate
The captain writes to me, but not to berate
“You’ll be sent out tomorrow to train your fate,
Pack your things quickly, we cannot be late.”
My final night of murder and war
Couldn’t have felt nearly as far
I leave all I’ve known, courage ajar
Indocile soldiers imply, “Au Revoir.”
