Youth’s bravado inspired by the glamour of army fatigues
Crew cut, commando knife and machine gun, add to the intrigue
The enemy a monster who disrupts law and order
Uncle Sam beckons you to the defend the invisible border
White trash this opportunity it does embrace
The Negro has now found a means of discarding his disgrace
Women, the military ceiling promising to move
Legacy for the young lieutenant, family calls to improve
Bankers salivating at the prospect of war
Economists spread fear like an infected #
Admirals requisition the bombs and chemical fire
Presidents ready their speeches to recant by the funeral pyre
Untested courage lost by the first command
Marching boots remain quiet in the blood soaked sand
The firmness of young flesh does anger the foe
By the end of battle, deadened souls climb to a higher plateau
To those who wake to witness the horror
Unimaginable their duty as the silent juror
Authority orders them to surrender their thoughts
Reason not a prerequisite in the journey they sought
Body bags queued as carcasses in a processing plant
Civilian dead marked by tears and an eerie cant
Rotting body parts lain among the weed
Their loneliness in decades will bring life to a dormant seed
The ugliness of military refuse graces the meadow
Behind each tree the wreckage is guarded by a frightened shadow
A lonely boot stands guard by a burned out bunker
Laces charred, unable to start the Jeepish junker
Brave souls this youth professed to be
Where there were thousands remain only three
Fight the good fight for country and honour
Little does mama know, her baby-faced boy is now a goner.
Joseph Pede
Asking God Forgive Me Please
A young boy sits in the park dreaming of great things
Plucking at dandelions as the sparrow sings
Lazing in the grass never thinking beyond tomorrow
Incapable of measuring man's divine sorrow
Night has fallen and he is dreaming of his girl
Her reality is like an illusive pearl
As he awakes mother yells ready to arms
Country is calling meaning no harm
A boat ride across an ocean with tears in their eyes
Looking at each other remembering the good-byes
A proud father watches with fear in his smile
Wondering if his young son will be safe all the while
Huddled in prayer before they dashed to shore
Splashing their boots on the ocean floor
Finding safety behind the body of another young lad
The young lad whimpers crying for dad
Gasping and aching a young soldier dies
Yet waiting to hear his mother's cries
Alone and lost in Hell's central park
The young soldier awaits for the comfort of the dark
A dash to safety and asleep at last
No longer capable of measuring the past
Clutching his hands to hide his fear
A sparrow he could now no longer hear
Morning has broken as he turns to the ocean
Humanity's blood and guts lay in motion
Falling back upon his knees
Asking God forgive me please.
Joseph Pede
