The Soldier's Diary- Part III

They say
Experiences make us
What we are,
In the heat
Of its moments
Our character

Tired and in pain
Our bodies
As the battle rages on
From one place
To another

The only time
We have
Is through letters
For reflections
And conversations

As the lights go out
In preparation,
Our next morning
Through times
We face each other
Different and changed
In the heat
Of moments and history


Will you come back?
If I say
“Served you well”
Yes, but will never
Leave me alone
The old voices
Echoes of my past

As we begin to chant
The old songs
Of freedom and valor
In the distance,
Flowers and procession
In preparation,
Our final funeral!

Kashkin