One Lone Soldier Walks Away

When the deadly veil of the smoke cleared to a winter day

and the thunder of the cannons ceased all that they could do was pray

to the God of Christians, the god of  the father son and holy ghosts…

ghosts of young men cut down some too young to vote, some still virgins, some

mothers and fathers, and grandfathers too, the living though become the walking dead

when they can’t erase the carnage in their heads…

heads of state pay their respect, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings all orate in style,

plead for peace but smile all the while, economies and coffers

filled with gold, as flags from coffins neatly folded true …

true they shake the hands and pat the backs, they hand out medals to those who come back, smile for the camera, election smiles for the press at home, one lone soldier drifts off to cry alone….

alone one soldier walks away.