Not That Man

There comes a time
When the world
Is at
Peace.
When a man
Clad in uniform
With a gun on his
Shoulder
Never has to fire it.
When a soldier
Is one of ornament
And status.

I am not that man.

I am the man
On the
Frontline,
Panting, sweat running
Into my eyes,
Shooting
And screaming
And afraid.

I am the medic,
The nurse sponging
A man's forehead,
Knowing that his
Eyes, glazed with pain,
Will soon close
Forever.

I am the general,
Sending his troops
To the bloody chaos of
War,
Knowing many will never
Return.

I am the mother,
Shrieking out an
Agonized call,
The letter before me
Telling of my child's death
Stained with my tears.

I am the sacrifice.

I am the warrior
Who fought and died
So that one day
We may know
Peace.