Heavy Duty

Wreckage and fire descended like rain
Blue sky went black on the Southern plain
Salvo rang out, washed my face in the sand
Blood from my ears, gun fell from my hand.
Brothers lay burning, faith left without trace
Swift to a close and deserted by grace
No glory, no honour, no pageantry
Death and decay came as stark company.
Darkness fell fast, I lay on my back
Severed and helpless Earth’s comforts grew black
I wept not for woes but in thanks for your love
Battered, broken and unworthy of.
Everyman plays his game, everyman has his crime,
Politics star and the young trade their prime
And is it for freedom or verity
Humanity’s bargained so easily.
The old wage their wars for the young to die in
Familiar, disdainful and served up in spin
And the fervour of youth where once cast a smile
Lie twisted, corrupted and broken meanwhile.
So fast to an end ebbs out life’s fleeting day
Past glories grows dim and our memory fades
Blood for a cause and tears of misery
Regardless of defeat or victory.