A Long Road

Son of God, the son of Mars, of Ares too

And the son of Ba’al Hammon

In the valley of shadows

I fear evil not

I face it evermore

Thy rod, thy staff

My Mk1 Lee Enfield

No.4

My protector

My paramour

What’s facing us is certain death

The many and the few

It might just be my luck runs out

Today or if not tomorrow’s draw

I’ll keep my faith those bullets sing

The names of others and not mine

My friends and enemies

Lured by sirens

To their final curtain call

The stench of death hangs heavy in air

Every step and every turn

I miss my home and fruit and beer   

And the dew of Irish early morn

Three long years I’ve fought this fight

Across desert, country and town  

I’ve held my nerve up to this point

But nerves wear thin

Blood runs cold

I fear never being reborn