Night Patrol

It was then you were a sentinel,
A sentry on the perimeter,
Alert, watchful, suspicious.
You patrolled the dark border
Rifle and bayonet in hand.
You protected the weak, the weary, and
The wounded from gunfire,
From shadows, and breaking branches.
You guarded the others from the Other.
Alone, threatened, hunted and forgotten,
You trusted no one.
You believed nothing.
When they threatened the perimeter,
You screamed into the darkness.
Identify yourself.
Identify yourself.
Friend or foe.
Halt or I’ll fire,
Halt or …
Foe, foe, foe, foe,
Then silence,
Fear and silence.