A View From the Field
My name is Jamie Lee Hamann and I started sharing poetry articles back in 2013. Every year I share a poem a day in April.
The land became battlefields
two parties one killing the other
both fighting for ownership
of land.
On both sides an Army
with soldiers in line for battle.
On both sides Generals, NCO,
and enlisted march toward
the front lines.
In this world of "fronts"
a Jeep slowly navigates
large rocks on makeshift
road towards the fight.
Sargent Alred, a sniper
whose sharp shooting
ability made him a feared
topic of sniper stories.
A warrior from birth
a fighter who decided battles,
a skilled craftsman of death.
He was known for hitting
the eye of a fly at 300 meters.
Sargent Alred is driving
General Darning
who is tasked with
placing the Sargent
in his location
above heated battle below.
The General is aware
that bodies
decompose on both
sides of the battlefield,
a decisive victory must occur.
The road turns to mud
Sargent Alred struggles
to advance the Jeep.
"General, freedom to speak freely, sir."
"Yes Sargent, how may I help you?"
"Well General my question is: I do not understand how killing my brother does not kill my soul or my ability to find peace in life. As I grow older I find myself leaning towards a more spiritual life. I am the most dangerous sniper on both sides of this battle and I honed skills of death seen by no man. I may not be able to fire a shot today."
The General is silent for a moment
as the Jeep is tossed in from one
side of the road to the next.
Sargent Alred, not expecting response,
struggled with steering
pushed his way forward.
"Well Sargent, you are here
because you are the best marksman
this war has to offer and luck
put you in my Army. Dedicating
yourself to your strengths
and perfecting gifts
each man holds
until their time on Earth
is done is the purest
spiritual practice
offered here upon our soil.
This war is now and horrible
yet you are in your place,
like everyone, knowing
the patience to stay
the course is true discipline.
Today we will drive out
onto the front line of battle
you will position yourself
at a distance and you will
give my soldiers an advantage
to live and fight again
until this war is over.
You played
your part to perfection
taking you one step
closer to a better
understanding
of your place
in this universe.
Trust me
I know.
I have
seen
many
battles."
The General grew silent as the Jeep drove upon a ridge and stopped where they could view the field. The General moved the Sargent with hand signals to a position of height where he could see the enemy through his sights. He then backed away and headed back to the Jeep to radio his peers.
The Sargent calmly looked towards the field drew in his breath and fired with each exhale.
© 2019 Jamie Lee Hamann
