To the Stars

Paradise, the only word that can encapsulate the emotion felt while looking into her eyes. Her soft, gentle hands intertwined with mine; truly the epitome of glorious bliss. Her angelic poise beckons my awe, proving, she once resided in the heavenly skies. Our souls have surely found their long awaited mates, for our love cannot be dismissed. But the thief name life seems to want her for himself; conjuring war for my service implore. Grief impales our joyous moments, spewing horrid thought of our hands unclasp. But refuse I cannot; for if I am not a patriot I shall be called a traitor. My heart aches as from paradise I am torn; forced to answer the call of the draft. Weeks pass like months as the days seem to linger; leaving only the night stars to ponder. Wondering if she too is looking up at the sky; with a smile on her face, and her beautiful eyes. Holding on to the love we once felt; awaiting the day of my gaze again capture. Drifting off to sleep where she meets my minds eye; for dreams is where my hope resides. But sleep is one thing that I have a short supply of; for war does not wait on dreamers. Shipped off to the battle with only a rifle, a pack, and cartridges with bullets intact. Fear weighs like blazing hot coals searing my mind and soul with its glowing red embers. As my boots touch the vile, blood stained land, bullets zip by my ears hoping my head to impact. Rushing through the blanket of bodies covering the sand; finding a rock for the bullets deflect. The ricocheting projectile's vibration can be felt through the rock; shaking my inner courage. Grasping my rifle, I take aim at a man I will never know; for it's his life I must collect. The bullet cuts through the dense air; piercing skin, breaking bone, and his soul ravage. But, no celebration will be had, for my side felt the cold burn of metal piercing skin. Falling to the sand with my hand holding the wound; I cry out for help but no aid comes through. My vision darkens as the battle rages; senses fading into the quiet calm abyss within. And the last thing I see; a star, taking me back to the paradise my soul once succumb to.