As the world is shaking beneath my feet like the rumbling crunch of a volcano, my eyes glaze over.
The fright of death is more crippling to me, and more a presence in my soul than my own beating heart.
Stuck frozen as if all the time of the Earth had stopped to watch for itself.
The bellowing cries of plea from my brothers, fallen to the ground.
The grip I have of reality is fast overwhelmed by the chaos of the dying.
My thoughts trembling in my mind as the very air around me purges sense from my bones.
I fall.
Upward looking to the dark greyness that’s become the mid day sky.
A sky alive with fire and smoke, and all manner of flying things.
Silence encompasses me for the first time in what seems like a lifetime.
I breathe, breathe as though every breath is a symphony requiring tireless thought.
My purposeful pause between each cycle, I listen to the drum of my heart bursting through my chest and ears.
I hear the dying. I hear the crying.
Taunting clatter and pounding overhead condemning us to the mud beneath.
Still and broken I lie.
I hear the dying. I hear the crying.
A wave of force ripples to my side nudging me, burning my body.
Scattered parts of wood and ash, bone and rock sprinkle awash down on my face.
Choking, my stomach flutters.
I hear the dying. I hear the crying.
My eyes open with questionable recognise.
My bedroom ceiling, calm and content.
My wife’s hand upon my chest, a question of soft remorse to my wellness.
My brothers, where are you?
I hear the dying. I hear the crying.

When goodness escapes the grasp of a pure and peaceful soul,
And the harsh wilderness of life is beyond ones control.
For who am I to look for, and who am I to trust in?
Good grace and higher will eludes me, leaving just within.
To seek council from my loved ones seems to end in pity,
Their support thought is second to none, with sincerity.
Looking beyond hopes short path, to pain cold like winter night,
How destructive a deception born from shock, born from blight.
An end where surely only badness and resent can be,
Why then did such a kind heart turn, such scorn hell-bent on me?
Be it my love or hate, compassion or just ignorance,
None are close to truth, for now settle with indifference.
But resolve became weak with time, and truth prevailed in kind,
So to put such soreness from memory, far from my mind.
Clouds with silver linings are sometimes the hardest to find,
But look hard and then look again, for your own peace of mind.

I live and play so peacefully,
In days colour and the light.
Yet this time soon brought to end,
As the sun retires, along comes the night.
Prickly thoughts of ghosts and demons,
Dancing with delight.
Each breath brings them closer,
I beg, nay pray for flight.
I feel the cold touch of darkness,
My eyes sorely useless, ohh God the fright.
Yet I hear the chanting and squalor,
These monsters fool my sight.
Each second takes an hour to pass,
They play my mind, the sleight.
I feel myself falling down,
From ever such a height.
The fear overwhelms me,
I struggle with all my might.
Yet suddenly Sun, day breaks
I have endured and won the fight.

Led by men of clothed tables,
A drink still warming their hands,
Soldiers' unburdened of choice,
March side-by-side in trance.
Met by the fire,
And pain of war.
Unflinching, unwavering,
They feel fear no more.
For seen before their eyes,
Shine memories of love.
As those whose memories share,
Pray from above.

I owe you my warmest kindness, every moment I live.
Undying adoration is understatement, and will always be.
You deserve the best of me, more than I can give.
Yet your wish is simple. You wish only, for me.

You sob for us as we leave. There is no comfort to be had here.
You look beyond the horizon of slowed time, to that distant return.
You watch as we, facing proudly ahead, march without fear.
You wait for news of safety and well-being, which you do so yearn.
You pray, as stars sprinkle beautiful glimmers. From nights sky so clear.
You see Soldiers, the brave, the strong. The firm.
But.
We sob for you as we leave. Comfort is short lived in goodbye.
We long for that distant return. Skirmished and torn by times cruel churn.
We walk swiftly, to fade away. Facing ahead, maybe you will miss our cry.
We tell you news as we see fit. Safety and well-being, that dream you earn.
We pray. Stars taunt as they shine, beauty and peace looking down from the sky.
We are the Soldiers. But you are the brave, you are the strong. You are the firm.

Put me on a star,
It's where I'd rather be.
It's somewhere far from here,
It's somewhere far from me.