Peter William Johnson – X
Really loved the joys of sex
First experienced at seventeen
Not the youngest there’s ever been
But by the time he was twenty one
Peter William was dead and gone
Just a poor bloody infantryman
Who gave his life in Afghanistan
Friendly Fire the report said
Whichever way he was dead
Not much of a body was really found
Dispersed by explosive mortar round
From an ally's battle tanks
Who expressed regret and thanks
Didn’t really do any more
Just carried on with that war
In the usual worldly way
He was news for just a day
In truth Peter may never have been
May never have appeared on the scene
But for the son he left in his place
Genes of his Genes to fill his space
For Peter William Johnson – X
Really loved the joys of sex
Beating a hasty retreat
Infantry overwhelmed
By a barrage
Of unremitting enemy fire.
Down goes
One of the brotherhoods of war,
Fatally wounded,
Exsanguinating;
Body riddled with bullets
Coming fast and furious.
Yet one intrepid infantryman
Does the opposite;
crawling through
The blood-soaked battlefield
Amid a volley of gunfire
Whizzing past above his head.
He's on a suicide mission,
Determined to fulfill
The "Leave No Man Behind"
Code he swears by
"I knew you'd come back for me, Bobby,"
The last words
Of his fellow infantryman,
And lifelong friend. His corpse
Dragged back through the mud
As bullets fly inches above.
He wasn't left behind.
ALL YOURS (Mar 3) Poetry Contest(Winner 1st Place)
Sponsored by Brian Strand
Date written: 02/22/2021
anchored to the ground
like strong, unmovable faith...
his patriotism
MagiCicada 13 or 17 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Maureen McGreavy (Winner: 8th Place)
Date written and posted: 06/16/2019