“Head boy head”

Said the old man in command

“Rush to the battle front

Preserve the dead at hand”

“I-I-I”

Responded the awestruck son

As he felt for his helmet

Manned the rifles, masks and guns

“Down boy down”

As the heavens cried acid tears

Of shells and blood stained memories

Of comrades and tainted fears

“A-a-a nightmare”

He tells his therapist

“And what of it ?”

“I D-D-Don’t recall” he mutters with clenched fists

“But I’ve a thought”

Confessed the patient

“ I abandoned my manhood

Amongst the rotting flesh.

To take home a golden star

That will forever haunt my speech “

And he bore an eternal scar

Until he was well enough to fight