Sniper

The cold wet earth clings to my boots The scent of wet soil draws memories Visions of the past , scenes from my boyhood Flicker in my thoughts. Buds of sweat drips their cold journey down my spine As I lay entranced and entrenched upon a hillside Waiting the timeless wait for the next target Here upon this accursed pass, we floundered Here upon this barren land men fell dead Friends and comrades, brothers in arms Others still clutching their weapons Others in muted prayer laying where they fell Kissing the cold earth now seared in black and red The hues of death , the shadows of fate. Here as I await the enemy’s passage Here as this hill may be my burial mound But I will not shudder nor fear the dread that fear itself rains upon me for I was trained to be steadfast my valor , my strength , my courage is needed now, more than ever by my Country. Unaware of the danger, caught in the cross-hairs Of my scope ,the target , a general stands tall The glow of an emblem upon his hat Temporarily blinding, yet a clear target he still is Slowly gripping the trigger, affixing my stance Feeling the direction of the breeze , the scent of wet soil Cold sweat down my spine as I gently squeeze the trigger.