The Short Walk

They marched me out Before dawns first light The moon casting weak shadows, The stars in full flight Across snow laid fresh Into field of gray Not a word was spoken On that fateful day Stood me against post Bound me tight Put hood on my head, So that I might Not even glimpse The day’s first light Heard crisp orders barked Then clatter of wood and steel But not the volley of riffles That dealt the pain Then up he marched Sidearm in hand To deliver a lesson All would understand Don’t retreat under fire Don’t refuse to fight Or shake so much It gives others fright Don’t lay in the trench With hand over your ears Not even trying To hid your tears And then it was all over And my body cut free Another lesson taught Well at least to me