Toll Of A Life Poem by Jon M. Nelson

I once killed a man in combat,
And it messed with my head.
Even though if I did not do it,
I would now certainly be dead.

I'd been trained to be violent,
But it was not really in my soul.
Taking another human life,
Can definitely take its toll.

The memories still haunt me,
And they dwell within my dreams.
Many veterans have flashbacks,
But these visions go to extremes.

Just like a muzzle flash,
The vision is bright and clear.
While I still have a conscience,
The haunting image will be here.

The thoughts of this action,
Always brings me dreadful strife.
These nightmares are the price,
I pay for the toll of a life.