The Loved and Fallen Soldier

Holding him struggling to my wet shoulder
I shiver in the pouring rain,
If only, if only he would open his eyes
I stagger, his heavy build rested upon my small frame,
Dirt and grime spread across my face
Echoes of gunshots leave the air,
More souls leaving their bodies
Leaving their shells with the dead.
Euthanasia spreading like wildfire,
I watch as they fall,
My comrades one by one
Malignant and malevolent soldiers on the other side.
I wish to be in your arms
But you refuse to open your eyes,
Our regiment has almost fallen
If only I could get you back to camp,
I trudge in the mud, which has become like quicksand.
We reach the camp by nightfall
The lieutenant tries to cheer me up,
I shake my head “Just a little longer”
He smiles and leaves us
That’s where I stand, in the rain,
Holding him struggling to my wet shoulder.