Smoke rose in pillars from the field
Fires blasted the soldiers with heat
Sweat dripped down their brows already
Gunfire was heard in the distance
as were the pained screams of dying men
The smell of copper field the air
before the stench of burning flesh joined it
Time dragged for the victims of battle
Commanding shouts led men to fight
Swords clashed and dirks appeared
hoping to kill before another shot fired
The mix of sounds left the young boy horrified
He gagged as he struggled to find his commander
The faces of friend and foe both fierce and unwelcoming
Clutching the dagger to his heart
his feet stuck in the bog
He fell, left to crawl amongst the bodies
and pray not to be trampled
His eyes met the fear filled gaze of an enemy warrior
A gunshot echoed above them and he screamed
sinking the black blade into the other man’s heart
His hands shook, leaving it embedded
And he rose
The commander found him as the others retreated
Paralyzed, he was lifted onto the steed
He’d never felt so tired
It clung to his limbs like wet clothing,
pulling, pulling, pulling
until he sunk beneath its surface
The panted breaths of the horse were all he heard.
Kember's Journey 