Story of a Soldier

Setting down the envelope
with the letter about his wife
The soldier glanced across the lake
mourning his new life.

Alone forever he will be
for he was supposed to die
Not the other way around
for this must be a lie!

A joke, foul humor, a travesty
he contemplated deep
She can't be dead this can't be true
he has to be asleep.

"I will give anything
to see her one more time.
My gold, my home or even an arm
take anything that's mine."

Silence slowly crept in
as his pleading died away
Tears began to flow like rivers
drowning in dismay.

"I don't seek wealth or body parts,
just one thing that I want."
The shadows whispered eerily
partaking in a taunt.

"A soul, your soul is what it takes
to see her once again.
Unsheath your dagger and slit your throat,
waiting she has been."

The soldier nodded silently
standing to his feet
Pulling the dagger to his throat
he refused to retreat.

A simple cut is all it took
to end his life that day
Death claims all solemn men
in a loathsome way.