No Man's Land

When I was little I could barely see

For all the family surrounding me.

My parents and their parents arm in arm,

Uncles and aunts protecting me from harm— 

Making a special place for me to hide,

My brothers, friends, and sister at my side.

And when we marched, I moved where they directed.

No matter where we went, I felt protected. 

I took them all for granted, like you do

When those you love become a part of you.

So when the end began, I cannot say,

But one by one they slowly dropped away

Until one day I looked around to see

That there was no one else in front of me.

Great-grandparents, uncles and aunts, my mother,

Grandparents, father, friends, my youngest brother 

Had all, all fallen, all fallen away,

And left me there alone to face the day

With nothing up ahead but No Man’s Land

And no one at my side to hold my hand. 

And now, as darkness overwhelms the day,

Like all who followed, I must lead the way

Exposed and frightened, wishing I could flee—

But it is my responsibility 

To be a comfort and protect from harm

The ones who walk behind me, arm in arm—

And make a special place where they can hide

With brothers, friends and sisters at their side 

And let them see me marching strong and tall

And make them feel protected, till I fall;

And one by one they take my place and stand

Upon the endless verge of No Man’s Land.

 

Copyright 2014 Matthew J Wells