In a Trench

a poem by Karthik Sankar

In the blood red earth
Of the trench
There was one who fought
Fought bravely for I could see
His bloodcurdling roar
Send the enemy running.
But one bullet in the head
Had sealed his fate.
Then came I to take his place.
As brave as him?
As fear evoking?
I do not know nor
Do I believe so.
Then what am I here for?
Try as much as I can
To do the same?
Or lie low in the trench
And pray for mercy.
Nor am I, the man he was.
Though not with the same
Brain and brawn.
I will fight.
I will conquer
Perhaps better than the man before.