places: requiem

when bad things happen

a man must move forward

no matter what's ahead of him

no matter what's at stake

he can't freeze up

he can't crumble when cornered

a man must move forward unlocked

a man can instantly lose his bearings

unless he's set his mind to the deadly task

there is a haze that surrounds him
in war

 there is a fear

one can experience

with every sense

there is a temptation

to choke or flee

amid terrible things

against terrible odds

in such instance can

a man really be ready

in that fog

be ready

 just be able to grab the moment by the throat

 and swallow fear

and thrust through

smother all chance of hope

die to both fear and life itself

and simply do the job at hand

because if there is any hope

he must sacrifice it now
on the bloody altar

die now

and simply do the job at hand

become just another ghost charging

upon the battle's field

what seemed so long ago

has come back like an old familar

are you ready?
are you ready?

hell no

but let's dance