single combat

single combat

standing alone on the edge of advance or retreat
drooping shoulders sagging of hearts empty souls
as if beaten with a sledge hollow eyes lines defeat
orders issued one nagging yet another voice extolls
enemies hidden in shadows all flitting right to left
lurk unsure at the corners creep in the dark night
concealing on the barrows and merged in the cleft
disguised among the mourners alive in plain sight
standing armed in the wild tired yet a being aware
a weapon loaded not aimed awaiting a casual flick
the face deceivingly mild with every emotion bare
accepting the fate ordained listen for a twig to click
surely death will come abandon the savage moment
there is nowhere left to run but toward an atonement