Crouching

 
As a child he crouches down
trying to avoid the leather belt
the fists and feet of his father
To stop his mother beating him
with a wooden scrubbing brush
in fear he crouches down
his grand mother a good Christian
believes spare the rod spoil the child
she spoils the child with the rod
her weapon of choice is a poker
in terror he crouches down

corporal punishment at school
he does not assume the position
for the strap and the occasional fist
he has been taught to crouch down
his life so far is one of fear and loathing
as a teenager he is easily bullied
for being a flute player on the 12th
for being a freak, for being different
as an adult he is bullied by bosses
bullied by work colleagues male and female
bullied by his wife and other family members
he crouches down physically foetal position
he crouches down in his head for protection

He hears the call of war, he stands up
for once he volunteers bravery for once
he witnesses a life in the trenches
the wholesale slaughter, of his pals
the constant explosions make him jump
the constant thought that he could be next
trench walls covered in blood and body parts
the order comes down the line from a safe distance
"Over the top lads" bagpipes blare like gun fire
whistles blow screeches like a maniac screaming
machine gun fire cuts the first wave in half

fear grips him, strangles him into remembering
screaming like a banshee he crouches down
like he has been taught to do from childhood
hands over his head in the foetal position
he uncontrollably weeps for his mother
and the mother of God for it all to stop
"Over the top you coward" shouts the major
he summons the courage to shout back
NO!

for crouching down and saying no
the major take out his service revolver
and executes him on the spot
all is quiet, nothing now to fear
no longer needs to crouch down
for him it is finally over
rest in peace