the battle of life rages on

as it has since Cain killed Abel

sides are picked

weapons are chosen

the games dictated by others has begun

friends become enemies become friends



battles are won and lost

mountains are gained and valleys are lost

lives are lost for inches and feet

leaders spill the blood of others

never of their kin or own

living or dying in the trenches of life and war

in the mix and mess of the trenches

we all become equal



blood mixes with the soil and the soul

in the depths of the dark

decisions made can be unmade

enemies can become friends

who is to say that this life is not precious

who can be so bold as to let others suffer for an ideal

whilst they wallow in the comfort of their lies



sides picked can be unpicked

the enemy of my leader does not have to be my enemy

decisions made on high can be undone on low

when we look into the eyes of our enemy we see but ourselves

staring back at us in pity and fear

as we gaze into the thousand-yard stare

let us see more than the abyss staring back at us



as your thumb cocks the hammer

as your finger squeezes the trigger

as your fist pulls back

as your knife is about to plunge

first gaze into the mirror of his eyes

to see yourself staring back



the dignity of living

must become the new normal

enemies can become friends

friends and enemies all long for the same

to be able to die at a time and place

that they have chosen

not chosen for them through lies and deceit

as a new day dawns

young men should no longer fight the battles of the old men

© 2016 Michael D Emmerich