Battle for Home

I stand on reddened soil, battle
complete, the smell of death
fills the air, I
care not for your meagre offering
of white cloth held in muddied hand
tainted by another’s blood

compensation for my loss on this
hallowed soil, a surrender given
to late to save the ones I loved
who rode into your storm
of pistols and catapults that cast
the stones of fire

with hearts racing, valiantly we
forged, my brother along side I
and in my fogginess of contest; the
sky drew dark through shadowed eyes
as brown soil mixed with blood
of those that will not see
another day

I step between the dead who lie
with mounts beneath them
men whose hearts will beat
no more, innocent, courageous
fighting for home they fell
with one last breath upon the ground
bring daylight through my tears
so I may see what we fought for
here, amongst the trees

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For Alastair’s Photo Challenge 150 words or less – Sorry I am 2 words over at 152. Please join us.

Alastair’s Photo Fiction