They Cried for Freedom

She stepped out there on the battlefield

Her face stony and strong

Stepping between she raised her arms,

“This must stop!”

Deaf to her cries, deaf to her shouts

They ran in time to meet

The sun gleamed and flashes as the metals were raised

Clang! Schwing! Crack!

They cried for freedom!

They cried for death.

But it was the lone scream

The scream from she cut through the air.

Silence abounds, they can only stare.

Enemies alike quivered anew

Weapons falling form their numbered grasp

Thoughts screaming, ‘What have I done?’

For there she lie, blood spattered

Breathing calmly, breathing her last

The sun flared off the only weapon still in hand

It dripped blood

A groaning dirge pounded against rock

The silence absolute

Her death was not her failure

It was success with a bitter taste