War

• Kate Donovan, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2010

We see the grave faces of veterans as we march off to war,
Seeping sadly out of their skin, the ghosts from friends that are no longer more.
We land on the merciless peninsula; a terrible mistake,
blood pools steadily, slowly creating a reeking lake.

The bloodlust begins from the Turkish warriors, trapping us like bait,
we catapult towards the cliffs, tripping over bodies that we recognise as our mates.
The Turks have the advantage; from the cavernous cliffs as cover,
they watch us experience pain like no other.

The gunfire ceases.
Last breaths falter- their owner’s bodies scattered in pieces
My friends are gone and I alone am one.
Shrapnel explodes and I’m sure I am done.

I wake up in a familiar bed,
hurting everywhere- there was just too much lead.
Tear streaked faces of loved ones all around,
then one last breath and heaven is found.