the promised land

dedication to a hero ..

the sky is blurred with stars and clouds
but his intention rings out clear
the roar of helicopter blades
drowns out his words, devoid of fear

his weapon's grasped in fingers strong
the weight is nothing in his hands
it's heavy; familiar and long
he says a prayer from where he stands

a portent sound, the cocking guns
te stands alone, the end is nigh
he knows he'll die here, there's no doubt
the price of freedom is too high

the ricochet of gun on sword
is music to the soldier's ear
adrenaline is pulsing through;
the bullets wane as death is near

the stench of blood is harrowing
his heart is pounding with the strain
all throughout his short career
he'd never throbbed with so much pain

they leave him there, will holes all through
th' toy soldier has been scratched and bruised
as'a child's precious possession used
and tossed aside for something new

his comrade, crawling, now in tears
can't believe the warrior fell
he cannot fathom what to say
rr how to say it, what to tell

it's alright, friend, you'll be okay
the stars will guide you through the night
you are the proof of who I am
you'll live for us and win the fight

he proved his worth, now he's at rest
he says goodbye and softly smiles
he lost his life, yet won so much
the comrade can attest to the trials

he fades away, into the light
lifted by a well-known hand
he gained those wings and now he flies
into the lifestream's promised land.