The cost

Boots polished until they shine
by soldiers standing tall and fit
arranged proudly in a line
as brothers, friends, a unit.

They fight for a noble ideal
and carry the banner high
with nerves and backbones of steel
charging forward through the sky.

But they just were not ready
for what was in store
and they could not stay steady
before the true horror of war.

Only some came home carrying their valor,
their haunted eyes, and deathly pallor.