Terry D. Sutherland

THE GRAVEST EXTREME

He lifted his rifle not in anger
It was in the gravest extreme
He was protecting himself from danger
Part of war’s natural scheme

He shook while he pulled the trigger
The rifles report he never heard
He emptied a clip if you figure
The report the other guys heard

A hot flash of flee or fight
A feeling he hated so much
Made him sick of the sight
Of the enemy they had in their clutch

He replaced his clip with another
Closed his eyes and shot again
He was doing the same as his brother
That was lying prone next to him

Soon the shooting was over
But the battle will never be done
He will carry this day forever
In dreams of an emotionless gun