The sound of shells fade to a hum.

All that is clear is the pounding of my heart

in my chest. 

I see men running in all directions.

The slow, the lost, the weak are all fighting for survival.

I try to run. 

My feet are stuck, my body is stuck,

I am stuck.

 In this place where I no longer can recognize

the men around me. 

Faces are consumed by the desparity that runs through the fields. 

My pain is his pain. 

Their pain is our pain.

How could I be shooting at the distance,

when I know they all have loved ones awaiting their return?

-unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I die today, I am thankful I could have kept all of my limbs in this battle.

and I regret not running faster through the trenches.

If I die today, I hope that my family is proud of the man they knew

and loved. 

 

If I die today, my fellow soldiers shall not miss me,

but simply remember the shots I took on the front lines.

If I die today, I hope this war continues to bring out the bravery in young men,

as it did for me.  

 

If I live today, I will protect my comrades around me on the field,

even if that means I will not see another day.

If I live today, I will run faster than I ever have through the trenches, 

no matter how wet or cold I become. 

 

If I live today, I will support my fellow soldiers, 

and encourage them for every shot they take. 

If I live today, I will fight to survive. 

 

I am a boy and I am weak. 

But I am a soldier, and I am strong.

-unknown