Ashes! Poem by Robert Green

A Test. 

You start digging in
Preparing for an attack you know is imminent 
Nerves on edge
Sweat stinging your eyes as it runs down your face from under your helmet
Everything seems to be happening in slow motion
But you know, when they start firing everything will be fast.
You lift your head slowly
You can hear the roar of the hostiles around you. 
Just waiting!
 like coiled springs
Your muscles flex within your uniform,
You feel the weight of responsibility on your shoulders
Your country back home willing you on, to do your best for them. 
Your vision becomes tunnelled!
As they come into attack you
 you feel the pressure
It's only you between Victory and Defeat
You shoulder your weapon!
 you see and hear the enemy approach
Thundering towards you
This is your time
Now is the time to stand firm
He fires at you
You see the missile approach
You turn your body
In defence
Then you strike

CRACK
 
The willow strikes the leather 
The ball sails over the head of your opponents and races away to the boundary and the winning runs are hit. Instantly you are a hero. 
Now that you return the ashes. 


CRACK

You let off a dozen rounds
The enemy start falling around you
But just one gets through your defences
You fall, crimson red blood pours from you as you lie dying in a faraway land
Not many will remember
As you return as Ashes. 



RG