I sat in a dark, ***** truck
looking at the men around me.
Some of their faces were terrified
and some were proud of honor.

I closed my eyes, praying to god
that I would get home to my family.
I got a letter a few weeks ago that
we were expecting another.

I imagined their faces when they saw me,
imagining the faces of mom and dad
Seeing my children
running into my arms.
I gripped the artillery in my hands
and prayed that this was not my last resort.
'No! I-I don't wanna die!'
The truck stops and everyone stands up.

“LISTEN UP! We're heading into enemy territory!”
The general stands in front of us and we salute.
“Some of us will survive, some of us won't make it.”
He pauses and sounded like he was choking something back.
“So make a promise that none of you will die. Not today. Not ever.”