We all stood at battlements,
And frontline racetracks
Preparing for the longest night
When we would kiss our mothers
And say our prayers,
Hoping to be ushered
Into a brilliant light,
So bright it cleans the soul

Taut muscles and furrowed brows,
Aching with the weight,
And slick with burning sweat-
Bourne under my burden
We all stared hard-
Into the face of hate
For a government that told us nothing
And said, "You gotta fight."

Brothers and sisters stood strong-
Strongest thing you ever saw
Each of them made
Of sterner stuff
They draped that uniform
On mountains made of duty
And jawlines set-
Of utter determination

And yet,
I buckle-
Praying for the support
Of my sisters and brothers,
The comfort of the desert sands-
Whilst I wither beneath the gaze
Of a woman who's coffee order
Did not contain almond milk-
Like the end of the world rested on the edge of her cup...