Fallen warrior soldier
Petals and stems strewn and littered
No mercy from disingenuous, mocking skies
Torched umber and saddened dirty browns, clinging to life
Once taut and lengthy now waning and submissive
The last of their posture sucked dry
They weep, pucker, and wither
Scorched
Blistered
Begging
Cells clamor for evening’s dew
If only a solitary, swollen bead
Their silent struggle claims no pity
From tattered soles lumbering by and by and by
Shuffling suffocating tornado swirls
Atop and around their parched battlefield
Only a fool’s eye deems them forever gone
Downtrodden equates not with hopelessness and despair
But musters mighty strength
Inward they march
Tending to the wounded
Knowing an escape from swelter
No luxurious joy manifests
Their rise-up shall be swift and remarkable
No one the wiser to their quiet plight
Lest they who fought and won
The Heart of Sassy Lassie 