I thought I knew war - Andrew Jackson
A foul sight to see, war is.
The horrid sight of a field, once welcome with liveliness and beauty,
now pillaged with bullets that show no mercy,
that stop for nothing but flesh or a beating heart
I thought I knew war,
until I ran through a smoke screen of gun powder that filled
my nose with an overwhelming rancid smell.
I thought I knew war.
I thought I knew the pain of my companion,
who I ate with, laughed with, grew up with,
falling to his knees with one last helpless ear-splitting cry.
I thought I knew war until it showed up on my doorstep
with a musket and a merciless, cold scowl played upon its lips.
I thought I knew war,
until I felt the butt of the rifle against my shoulder,
aiming with sheer intent to end another human life.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I thought I knew war.