Thoughts of a Soldier Before Dying
Posted: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
by Peggy Butler
PSB COMMUNICATIONS
I am no longer here, yet I live on, through family, friends and the millions of civilians I fought to protect. So, don’t forget me, because I did not forget you . I am an American soldier who lives for all eternity, protecting and defending.
Unfortunately for my uncle there would be no adulthood. No future. No career. No wedding. No kids. No showing the world what a terrific person he was. His future was forever lost, as his body lay sprawled on the grounds of BINH THUY, SOUTH VIETNAM, with the wind as the lone backdrop.
Thus, five hours after being told he was dead, I jotted down the following poem entitled “Thoughts of A Soldier Before Dying," which I have managed to keep intact, despite the now faded paper it was written on so many years ago.
From the four corners
Of the earth
Gun drawn,
My heart stops
As the enemy approaches.
This is the hour
Death is near
I feel its massive,
Teeth, tearing at the
Back of my neck.
Its paws are
Bloody and bruised.
My God, welcome me as
I enter into thy kingdom.
The gun is near
And darkness looms.
Then morning dawns,
So still, so deadly silent.
Like a caged animal
Eager to be free
I can feel the air,
Surfing closer and closer
To the edge, as I scramble to
Take hold of its embrace.
Slowly, reality sinks in
And as the blood seeps from my wounds
curling into a semi-circle,
at my side.
Suddenly I am at peace,
as death folds me in its arms
And carries me to my final rest.
Curiously, I am cold beneath the ground
yet, I live.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Peggy, not only were you very young in 1970, but your poem had to be inspired from spiritual guidance. From an experienced combat veteran you described your uncle's ordeal better than any true vet could have described it. I believe your love for your uncle put you in his boots at the time he met his maker. "God bless"David: You are absolutely right. All I did was close my eyes and whatever words came into my head, I jotted them down. Unfortunately, to bring the poem into the 21 century, I made a few minor adjustments. But basically, the poem is as it was on the dreadful day that I wrote it. And yes, I was too young to grasp the meaning of war, but not too young to realize that my uncle was dead, and I would never touch his face or hear his voice again. Best Wishes
Peggy, you have moved me to tears -- what a beautiful tribute and thank you so very much for sharing your heart - God bless you and your spirit!Hi; Thanks for those kind and poignant commets. Even now, after all these years I am still moved by the poem when I read it. Granted, it's not the kind of piece that would win any literary prize, but it's from the heart, because, I lived it. Best Wishes and God bless
An excellent, emotional poem which moves you to the core and makes you think about Gewalt in a war, where humans are shot at, eliminated. Om shanti! Peace be with you. Herzlichen Beileid, dear Peggy, and thanks for sharing your pain. Sincere regards, SatisHi: Thanks for the heart-wretching comments. In noting that you hail from Germany; the Holocaust, Hitler and World War II immediately spring to mind. I don't know how old you are, but I'm sure that irregardless of when you were born, you are all too familiar with the atrocities of war. Again thank you Best Wishes
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