Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
It couldn't be. It was impossible. At least that's what he thought. The young soldier had no idea that the bridge was in any danger. He had no idea that the enemy was near or that his friends would end up dead. The solider vowed on his life to save them, and he failed. All he could think was that he should be dead too. He wasn't worth living after doing such a cowardly thing by following his gut. He should be dead. He should be dead.
In his Post-Op bed, in the corner of the room he can only mourn silently. Showing emotions was weak and he did not want to be any more weaker than he already was. It was his mistake, after all. The doctors can say it's not his fault over and over, but that is just talk; they weren't there. They didn't see the blood. They didn't hear the screams and gunshots coming from both sides of him. They couldn't feel the tears that came down his face.
And because of that he will be damned for all eternity and will have to feel the wrath of the commanding officer once he found out. Nothing could bring his friends back. No comforting words could make him forget that.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me.
That I live and you are gone
There's a grief that can't be spoke
There's a pain goes on and on.
The medicine that the doctors give him can numb his body from physical wounds for awhile but nothing could numb his guilt. In restless sleep, he will be haunted by this deed from now till his death. It will never leave his memory. Never.
Phantom faces at the window
Phantom shadows on the floor
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friend will meet no more.
The song is "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from the musical "Les Miserables". I do not own it, but it's a fantastic musical and am only a fan.