A Soldier's Last Thoughts. Poem by PAUL COLVIN

The guns, the noise, the bullets! And still they're raining down
I run for cover in the dark, in this hell-hole of a town.
My legs give way, I've just been hit and stumble to the ground
It's much too dark for me to see and my head is spinning round.

It's more than dark, it's black in here, the pain, Oh God, the pain!
I'm sweating and I don't know why, won't someone please explain?
I can't feel my legs or hands, won't someone tell me why?
I'm nineteen now, not yet a man, and much too young to die.

I can't move, God help me please, at least let me see my foe
Step forward now and show your face, at least then I will know
The faceless man who stalked me and then made his attack,
Who gunned me down from hidden hills and shot me in the back?

The pain has stopped but I'm so cold, I think I'm paralysed
I fought for peace or so they said, what have I sacrificed?
My eyes are open, looking up, into the blue night sky
But I see nothing, not one thing, is this my time to die?

No stars, no moon, there's nothing there, except blackness lined with red
And if I die, will I be, just a number counted dead?
My family, I love them all, I know what fate awaits
I'll see them soon, if God permits, by Heaven's pearly gates.

Words are swimming in my head, too fast for me to say
And now I know, that on this earth, this is my final day.
No! I deserve much more than that, for my country I have died
So please say my name, when that time comes, with dignity and pride.