Freedom Flag

The red, white and blue flapped in the wind He looked up through tears as he lay on the ground. It was torn from the battle, his mate lay dead In the midst of the mud and the blood all around. The battle was done, they had achieved their goal And the flag stood firm at the top of the mound. Ears ringing from bullets whizzing past in the air But the deafness could not silence the pounding sound. He thought of the world waiting for him back home As his heartbeat slowed and calmed from the storm. It hurt when he moved so he laid back down And stared at the flag with the smoke all around. The red and the white and the stars so clear Had he really been fighting here more than a year? He was tired and worn, he felt cold in the night In the silence and darkness he relived the fight. No glory he found in killing fellow men Over what should be righteous to all in the end. The river of red flowed thick to his hand And the warmth of it comforted the war torn man. The light in his eyes began slowly to fade And sleep would be easily found. If not to this freedom did he feel such a cause And to her so earthly bound. In the silence once more he heard the flag snap So proud it waved through the flames. His purpose fulfilled, she was safe once more Until the next violent time around. The battle fought well and freedom not claimed By those who would take it away Life would go on for those whom he saved To live well for another day. He felt just as weary as the old flag looked And he struggled to take one more breath. But he smiled in the end, it was worth all the pain Ultimate freedom received at his death.