Silent the Night
He walked silently along the pocked wall,
Carefully measuring each soft footstep.
His enemy waited for one mistake;
He watched the young man from two clicks away -
His orders were to wait, to kill way more.
Sergeant Ramirez, a veteran warrior,
Knew the drill well; it was fixed in his mind;
At midnight his watch would now be over.
At ten forty-one, a mortar shell fell,
Then some more; and finally a barrage.
Ramirez was wounded, his leg blown off.
Many troops had died in the fusillade;
Many others were horribly in pain.
Medics soon found him; he'd written a note.
"My dearest Annie, - I am fading fast,
I've looked at death and I've cheated him thrice;
Somehow I don't think, I'll do it again.
My life's been blessed to have someone like you,
This was to have been my last Tour this time.
If I don't come home, I'll be with you still,
I will be with you always - I promise I will.
You are but seven, the love of my life;
Please don't cry, I'd like a happy goodbye.
Remember you dad, for the man he was,
Remember the times shared when I was home.
It's getting harder to write... I'm so cold.
As I write I am cradling the moment,
And all those moments we shared together.
Thinking of you my sweet, and your warm smile,
Your radiant glow and pleading brown eyes,
I wish I could have been with you again;
At least I'm able to write you this note.
I see you in my thoughts like you were here -
I hear your voice, feel the touch of your hair -
My pen is slipping and it's getting dark...
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