Stand- Alone and Free

Laying low and to the ground, underneath a willow tree.
Ears focusing on every sound, she awaits her enemy.
A rifle in hand, her eye on the scope. Scouring the land, she clings to the hope,
that no soldiers come around, that there is nothing for her to see.

focus.

The morning dew is damp on her shirt, her eyes are dark and tired.
the bruises from combat are starting to hurt, a single shot is fired.
Her eyes widen quick, she bolts up to run. Noticing a new nick, on the barrel of her gun.
A bead of sweat falls to the dirt, her target has been acquired.

FOCUS.

She falls prone, her heart quickly pounding, her breathing heavy and shrill.
Through the forest she hears it resounding, holding back fear, she keeps very still
Shifting the rifle, lining up her aim; she holds her breath, her lungs are aflame
Suddenly, out of the brush he came bounding, his rifle aimed with intent to kill.

FOCUS...FOCUS...FOCUS...

...focus.

Blinded and deafened, the gunfire flared; no one made a sound, and she could not see.
Her eyes then refocused, had she been spared? She let out a sigh, then sat up on her knee.
She re-bolted her gun, the morning breeze stilled. The light of the sun, revealed the man she had killed.
He was a young boy, about seventeen and fair haired, she had ended his life so that she could live free.

Breathe.

Yet the woman stood up, her rifle in hand. Her eyes cold, unyielding, she had no time to cry.
Marching towards home, she need not understand; why she gets to live, while others must die.
She had left her old life, so that she may be free. Constant fighting through strife, enduring misery.
With purpose and clarity she took to the land, only hesitating for a moment, to say one last good-bye.