Block It Out

A rushing cavalcade of men, boots tramp down the iron grid
A featherless flock of death fills the skies
their blades 'whumping' in the air, like huge birds of prey.
Excitement, adrenaline run through us

Eyes bright, teeth bared in a grin
Backslaps, handslaps; brotherhood of men.
Block it out, block it out, block it out...

Virgin rifles slung on our backs, boots shine like mirrors.
Confidence courses through our veins
Muscles taut from endless training - Oh band of happy men!

"I would die for you, I will rescue you, I won’t leave you here"

Words like a mantra chant through our heads
As we start our tour of duty
Block it out, block it out, block it out.

In the grass, through the trees, we watch each other’s backs
Like obedient dogs to the master
Who will keep us safe, keep us alive
Competing with each other in our naivety
Talk of home, of jobs, of lovers - of who will get the spoils of war
Remembering mother’s face filled with worry, reveille and muscles in pain
Block it out, block it out, block it out.

BAM! The world explodes BAM! BAM!
Bullets like fireflies in the dark whistle past our ears, over our heads.
The earth rises in great clumps around us
Bodies like ninepins suddenly collapse - eyes vacant, limbs severed.
Go right, go left, run, stay down - which way to turn, which way, which way?
A split second twixt life and death.

Block it out, block it out, block it out

Back home, a cheer for the battleworn hero
Everyone begs us to tell our story
Everyone thinks we’re covered in glory

Life’s problems seem so small
Innocence gone, forever
And I know that for the rest of my life
I must try to
Block it out.

Copyright © 2002 by Hetty Austen