Searching Poem by Brian Hairbottle

We walked over hill and through vale
looking for others that should not be
they were the invaders of our land
leaving signs that would tell tale
of not letting anyone pass free.

Out of nowhere comes the bang
so loud and deafening
smoke and dust billowing
the smell is frightening
on the ground is the whole gang

All around rifles are firing
copper jacket bullets are flying
some have red some have green
we know we have been seen
it is time for killing or dying

time stands still it seems an eternity
it is not so for in reality
for only seconds are passing
but feeling like minutes are lasting
our minds are as one with each fatality

The silence is only broken
by the ringing in our ears
that was to be only a token
for now we give way to our fears
is there more to come in the wake
what is not theirs to claim or take

In the quiet aftermath
taking stock of the situation
clearly we did not go unscathed
doing the head count and math
there are brothers in arms
who are unable to rise on this occasion
they have held their lucky charms
but this time have fallen short of the expectation

It is time to call if we can
for the choppers and the truck
we have to go tell the man
this time there was no luck
we met the enemy who ran
after they had struck
and there would be to a man
who did not mourn
the loss of some who were born