My Battle

The rain is starting; I know Charly is near,

My body filled with anger and fear.

I look for the signs, none to be found,

I feel it in my gut, the enemy is around.

I remember my dead friends, the rage I felt inside,

But now it’s me and Charly, no place to hide.

I await the eerie sound of the AK’s crack,

I’m all alone, no one to watch my back.

I look at my watch, time passes slow,

Will I survive this moment, only God will know?

Reality returns, I feel such the fool,

For now I must go and get my daughter at school.

Tomorrow will be another day,

The rains will fall from skies so gray.

I’ll look for Charly, who is really not there,

Is surviving a war really all that fair?

Michael D. Monfrooe

1997