If I Died A Million Times

Soldiers march…..
then drifters fill the ranks
with smoked filled eyes of ghost.

---------------------------

If I died a million times
would I remember death
or only the time
that I stood standing
wrapped in chains –
while waiting
for the cold of morning.

If we all fell down
would we be broken
and swept away
so tradition
could hold the beams –
these houses on a hill
filled with men
brass and gold….
and hot air.

Our enemies don’t hide
they stand in bright lights
while tired soldiers
stumble by
and people shy-away –
afraid.

If I died a million times
would I remember death
or would I stand proud
in those last moments
knowing…..
that my country
stood behind me
so I could lay down
and rest.