Standing in the dewy grass I hope and pray that they will pass But they may not 'stead come to stay
I know not If I die this day
The Redcoats come a thousand strong their battle line is wide and long What's ordained I can not say
I know not If I die this day
We stand apart but look across to the other line and toss a look of nervousness then pray
I know not If I die this day
Commanders yell, Commanders bark their orders all along the park but then a shot rings out and in the confusion, it begins
Standing 'cross an open field neither of our lines will yield one line of blue the other gray
I know not if I die this day
Often seems we've fought in vain and 'long the march have caused much pain I've left good comrades along the way
I know not If I die this day
My brother serves 'neath Mile's Flag I serve beneath a diff'rent rag and if I **** him what's to say
I know not If we'll die this day
Commanders bark, Commanders yell and call us to the gates of hell then all at once morn's silence splits as men are shredded, torn to bits
My craft rocks gently through the sea and towards the beach on which I'll be to face a wall and see Death play
I do think I may die this day
"Keep your heads down" Sergeants call as on us squalls of lead rain fall some will succumb and fall away
I do think I may die this day
As we close on norman sand to bear the brunt of Swastic hand around me tough men kneel and pray
I think that I may die this day
Commanders shout, Commanders scream and seconds turn to awful dream then a bump and ramp unfolds for many luck no longer holds
Desert sand fills hair and ears It seems I've been at this for years It's over now fore Death holds sway
I know that I will die this day
The day was normal as it could we took precautions as we should but life's one IED away
I know that I will die this day
Soon I'll be with others who have given up their own lives too for keeping our home country's way
I know that I will die this day
And through these fading eyes of mine I see generations who've crossed that line and as colors fade to gray
I know that I will die this day
All I feel are grains of sand that arid winds wash 'cross my hands what happens next who's to say
I know now that I die this day.
I wrote Minuteman in 2012. Recently I was approached to give permission for parts of it to be used in a play. The re-reading and discussions of that poem prompted this expanded version to be written.