Day 192

This is another one that I'm pretty sure will be part of something larger. It may or may not become part of Soldier. Even though, the subject matter relates, I'm not sure it's part of the same story, so I'll have to work that all out.  (FYI - LBE stands for load bearing equipment. Sometimes it's called LCE, load carrying equipment.)


All Geared Up

You put on your uniform one leg at a time
One arm at a time
One boot at a time.
Each piece of gear, added one at a time
The belt
The LBE
The canteen
The helmet
The gas mask bag
Flashlight secured
Ear plugs secured
Dog tags tucked away
Weapon slung behind your back.

Prepared.

You hear the firefight beyond the hill
You stand guard
The earth vibrates from the concussion of mortar
You stand guard
You hear the yells and screams of each man falling
You stand guard.

Prepared. Waiting.

Then there's the silence.
The shooting has stopped.
The screaming has stopped.
(but not in your head. that will last forever)
The ground no longer shakes.
You are ready.
Or so you think.

Prepared. Waiting. Calm.

One round fired
Much closer than before.
It's time.
You have trained for this.
You are prepared.
Your weapon is no longer slung.
You check your gear.
All present.
You insert your ear plugs.
(they won't stay in. they never do)
Everything is silent.
You listen to your breathing from the inside
and pray you're not really breathing that hard.
You can feel your heartbeat, now.
It is much faster than you wish.

Prepared. Waiting. Eager.

The order to advanced is signaled.
You begin to move forward
Each footfall percusses throughout your body
(was that mortar?)
Each step amplified internally.
You are underwater
Muted
Muffled
In slow motion
Yet hypersensitive.

Prepared. On edge. Eager.