Do I Really Have To Call? Poem by Flavia Richardson

Soldiers are walking to their morning call
Ready, committed, standing ready to fall
In a mix of agony, fear and red alarms we are all
Chances, lotteries and games of life
But do I really have to call?

Soldiers boarding before rain droplets fall
Chucked bags, photos and memories of us all
Children's arms extended waving up high on a call
Mothers, fathers, daughters, sisters lined
But do I really have to call?

Soldier tears wetting the uniforms as they fall
Goodbyes, hugs and kisses replaced by a call
The earth shrinking getting smaller for all
Hearts of gold, of steel or of mush

So maybe I do have to call.