The Poetry of Miles Athey

You Kill Them God


How can I do it God? They want me to kill! I just can’t do it God . . . I never will.
If I kill them God, Will I ever know, If they were the enemy . . . maybe so?
Still God I'm not sure. I don't want to fight. You kill them God . . . that’d be alright!
God can you hear me? I'm not going to kill. I'll just wait here . . . atop this small hill.
Shells falling around me. Comrades firing back. The enemy is near God . . . we're under attack!
I still can't kill God. I don't think its right! My men will kill for me . . . they know how to fight!
It's getting quieter God. Only random firing. None from my comrades though . . . they must be tiring.
Thanks God you saved me. I didn't have to kill. "Good job brothers . . . we held this hill!"
"Time to move out men.” "Our mission's all done!" God they don't answer . . . not even one!
I think I can kill now! My gun's full of lead. God you pull the trigger . . . I'll aim at my head!