Poppy | justinewinter

Empty shells dress the ground at my feet,
Echoing in my mind as I blast each lethal sweet.
My targets they wait, hiding down below,
Cowering behind ruins as they run out of ammo.

My breathing remains even despite my pounding chest,
I inch forward slowly, testing my armoured vest.
Bullets hurtle all around, terrified shouts fill the air,
Red pools soak the ground; a poignant outcome of warfare.

My comrades take cover at the howl of a grenade,
We wait out the blast, gearing up to invade.
Sweat trickles down my neck, the burning heat sears my soul,
Yet I trundle ahead, towards the emerging black hole.

I wish for my home, for the strength of my wife,
For the press of her lips as she gives me new life.
But as we scout out the zone, danger sparks up anew,
At this moment I know, I won’t make our rendezvous.

Slowly, I fall, time disappears from me completely,
I ignore all the pain, taking my enemy with me.
My army brothers lean down as I pat my left pocket,
A goodbye to my love with her favourite sonnet.

Though it is day, darkness closes on my eyes,
I take my last breath, envisioning the sunrise.
As my essence drifts away, I have only one regret,
There’ll be no more ‘I love you’, and too much upset.

Lest We Forget.

The silence in the car was loud enough to make a statement. The clock struck 11am, and I paused for the memory of the lives of the brave men and women who’d fought for our country, and for those still fighting.

The three hour journey home was sombre as I thought of the many sacrificing their lives, their loved ones, and their families so that I could do what I loved as a living.

There are many of us who take what we have for granted, and allow the little things in life to worry us completely. Imagine waking up in a fold-out bed with nothing, but another long day out in the sand patrolling the desert while dodging bullets that come flying through the air. Imagine waking up each morning and wondering if it would be your last. I couldn’t, and I certainly couldn’t endure the pain both physically and mentally.

The Armed Forces as a collective provide a service to its country and people, but it’s much more than that. It is a symbol of hope for our future, where a world of peace should exist.

Today I wear my poppy proudly in honour of those that have passed away protecting our future. I salute them for their courage and bravery, and I am in awe of them for doing something I could not.

Thank you for giving me the choice of freedom while you sacrifice yours.

Lest we forget.