Reality of War

As time moves on, and the world stands still,

Head hung in digrace at the sight of the soldier with blood on his face,

The blood of an innocent, a once beautiful child,

Until the shell exploded, and the innocence died,

Nothing left, but an empty space.

The soldier looks on, pale and drawn,

As the reality of war finally hits home.

The war games he played back home with his friends,

A far cry from the horror he sees day after day.

Did the army not promise fun, excitement and training for life?

No mention of killing an innocent child.

Just the perils of war, or so we are told,

But no comfort to the soldier,

As his blood runs cold.

The nameless face of a young boy with a gun,

What should he do, shoot or run?

Die a hero with a bullet in his back,

Or shoot to kill? Attack! Attack!

And live forever, in fear of sleep,

When the nightmares take over,

And he screams and he weeps.

His life now in tatters because of a war,

No family to turn to, no one at all.

How can anyone help, or understand

The living nightmare he has to bear?

As his loved ones turn and walk away,

He sits alone to weep and pray,

His life destroyed in every way.