independence day
independence day
it was hot humid and raining gray sky reflects a gray soul
soldier on although the rumbles in my gut would not still
slog through the red mud all day covering boots hip to toe
hear sergeants bark and grumble to push up one more hill
keep the powder dry soaking wet rain drips down my neck
a quick dash into the dark bushes another squat to suffer
as fever prays weak and hoping my body a rambling wreak
officers on horseback push us come on boys get tougher
eat on the march jerky and hardtack the column straggles
sour water fumbling and groping fingers resealing the cap
pick a few berries into a haversack a mummer of haggles
moans and groans and bitching intoning all the usual crap
when the sun begins its setting the fear of the night starts
secret sounds and ghosts getting in and out of our hearts