At War In Peace

2.

once there were cannons
great cylinders of steel
sounding near in my ears
and clouding all thought
with plumes of smoke and spent shot

orders barked over noise
direction from all directions
danger to every side
and my small self in the middle
every sense on the defense

now the sounds of cannonfire
are distant in my mind
always close but far enough
away in the night and damp cool
that i can see the land ahead
the rise and fall of the dirt
escape routes to every side
no one screaming in my ear
not least myself trapped and scared
and always ready to (be) hurt

no, the war is fought elsewhere
i remember more than hear it
staked my memorials over years
will not shed any more tears
over losses from false fears

most days it's quiet on the front

but make no mistake

i know how to fight this good fight
to win peace from ceaseless noise
the shouts and calls in your own voice
our own thoughts somehow the enemy

i never lost my instincts
or my resolve in the heat
of a battle that can be won
here and then, now and ever
just hear it all, listen to naught

there is a stillness
still inside you

and here is my best reassurance, soldier:

you are not alone
i've got you covered
there's the way out
let's go

it's over