Hold’n the Line – A Soldiers Tale

We train and drill in blue and gray,
Heart steeled, I prepare for the day,
I meet my brother on the other side,
As determined as me to hold the line.

I march out with eyes agape, head held high,
While deep inside I am afraid to die,
Smoke and flame assault us all,
Shoulder to shoulder, some begin to fall.

A thousand soldiers march into the light,
Roaring cannon boom as balls take flight,
I see my brother coming toward me,
Eyes meet briefly but can it really be?

Out of the trees, I see cavalry ride
With sabers flashing to turn the tide,
The smell of death and my innocence gone,
Eternal sadness is now my song.

Bodies surround me with death piled high,
We look at each other as each asks why,
Columns crashing, men crying tears
While through the noise on horse I hear, “Hold the line boys”

At home she waits in her linen dress,
Watching the children, doin’ her best,
Goes about her business, acts carefree,
She’s holdin’ the line for them and for me.

The children run and play their games,
While miles away, soldiers take aim,
They know Pa’s away, waitin’ for the day
He walks up the road so that all can say, “Hold the line Pa”

My head rolls over as I lay in the grass,
I blink my eyes to see my last
Vision of you, the stars, and the trees,
My last thought to ask, “will you mourn for me?”

We live our life ever searching our path,
Not worrying about the aftermath,
Life placed me there I know not why,
But purpose clear was to hold the line.