Courage? Poem by William McGehee

I feel it right there every time
The touch of fear inside my mind.
Anticipation: tempting fate
When rolling ready through the gate.

Now in sector my eyes can see
The foe behind near every tree
And there in every passer by
I see the foe in all their eyes.

But press we on till task complete.
No sight nor sounds of foe we meet.
My mind begins to be ease
And not put foes behind each tree.

Soon confidence begins to gain
The smallest foothold in my brain
And there it starts to slowly grow
Each time we move to meet the foe.





BOOM! ! !

The clap of thunder hits my ears.
The cloud of smoke awakens fear.
A trap well laid, they found us first
And placed a bomb into the earth.

My hands shake. My breath is fast.
It must be now, I must move past
The grip of fear that holds me back.
It must be now. I must react.

I start to wake. I start to stir.
I start to see beyond the blur.
I move and think: command my men.
I fight and take control again …




After the shock has fell away
Cold realizations hold their sway.
How close we came to losing life,
Cold questions like a cutting knife.

Was that courage? Was I brave?
Does it matter anyway?
Does Heaven wait beyond the stars?
Is Death the peak of who we are?

I push those thoughts far out of sight
Then I lay me down to rest the night.
For I must soon return to war
And question courage nevermore.