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
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