Fallen and still
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Christopher Smith, Grade 11
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Poetry
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2004
Clad in metal and shining like suns, soldiers march.
A child sits, and places a deck of cards upon a table.
Trumpets sound, swords are readied and positions assumed.
The child lifts hopeful cards, expertly forming houses.
Soldiers halt, courage holding as a mighty bulwark.
The child builds, eyes gleaming with euphoric malice.
--A thunder is heard!--
Hooves crash behind, soldiers turn -- Calvary!
A fist cascades into the table; an earthquake resounds.
The soldiers are buried under a cancer of blood and horses.
The cards, with all their dreams of greatness, are toppled.
The soldiers, the cards – all are fallen.
The horsemen trot away, newly shaded red.
The child laughs carelessly and saunters off.
The cards, the soldiers – all lay still.