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...