A Patriot's Grave

Metal bullets ripping through, racing
against time.
Feel the tender comfort of the hazy sky
above you.
Suffocating, each breath is a fight.
See the pools of red ice and shrapnels fly.

Hugging you like the warmth of the fresh, white linen blanket.
Cradled by the hums of your mother's sweet voice
rocking you to sleep once more.
An empty shell.

Scream and roar but each sound is as quiet as the one before.
With dreaded pain shooting through your anguished spine.
You've served the flag that can protect you no more.
Crushed your sweet soul and see only
darkness lies ahead.
Is this the vow you made?

Nay, it is the home you made, cushioned with blankets of worms and dirt.
Hollow cries and decay.
Smokes and mirrors, delirious
praying you could escape
the torment and isolation, the price you must pay.
Let go, surrender, weep the pain away.
this is the agony of the grave.

Open your bewildered eyes and in a sleepless fright,
here you lie entombed with terror. 
Alas, you've reached the mounted door
where brightness engulfs and
The Kingdom awaits forevermore.

A. B