Without Warning

A soldier standing on the ground
Looks down
and picks up a flower
A distinguished flower
Not just any

He's not at war now
but at his home
He's holding his daughter
And lovingly kisses his wife

Outside is quiet and warm
Young faces unscarred
No smoke in the air
No screams of death

No rows of dead coffins
and everyone is here
Not a weapon in site
Not a thing to fear

Then without warning...
BANG!
A shot

Back on the field
and in his own hands
the flower is not there
It's in pieces on the ground

Far in the distance
a huge speckle of people
an atmosphere of smoke
and shouting and screaming

And then without warning...
BANG!
A shot