Fading away,
heroes kiss their final goodbyes.
The battle is over, for some,
and homeward bound is our compass.

Bloodied and cleaved,
we soldier on into the darkness.
Ourselves lost amongst the corpses,
we give hollow definition to the breathing.

The dead speak to us,
their tongues of snarl and snap.
We listen intently, desperately,
unsure of what the way might bring.

Faint echoes draw near,
whispers hidden among the screams.
We reach out, remorse hidden in our fingertips,
extending forward to touch the silhouette of death.

The veil parts way,
though it still clings tightly to some.
Memories align into intense reflection;
the good, the bad, and the unseen.

Awaiting final judgment,
soldiers pay the ultimate price.
For in the eyes of a stranger,
we be not, but murderers.

Relenting, releasing, accepting,
we bid our brave farewells.
Into the arms of this beautiful stranger,
we lay ourselves down once more.

__________________

Fire Team Kilo - The Halo Fan Corps