A Barrel Full of Hope!

The tress did sway, the grasses flung,

The wind was strong that night;

The wailing noise kept roaring high,

Rest everything was quiet!

He looked above through grimy eyes,

Nothing, though, was in sight;

His sweaty arms restlessly twitched,

As they prepared to fight.

The enemy fire shall soon surround,

And overcome the winds;

With thoughts intense and anxious mind,

Reflexively, he grinned.

A week ago, he’d left his home

And wife and sons behind;

The wagging tail and smiling face

Did linger in his mind.

The time had come for them to part,

The enemy, this day, was strong;

For twenty men for two brigades

Would not have lasted long.

The tanks approached, he and his men

Were ready to defend;

With high spirits and loved ones in heart

He fought it to the end.

The news did reach the town as well

How could the children cope!

‘Cause the hero had perished kissing his gun,

And a barrel full of hope…