Vigil
Vigil kept over this field at night. Upon the edge of dusty desert. So far from the marshes of home.
Further afield, I find one of the natives in death. Even late in night, see upon its features gaze reviled.
Looking at one such as I, and not the stars above from whence we came.
Starlight, starbright, the light having left their eyes, can now turn my own eyes skyward.
Standing here, on edge of desert, with ruined city and endless sea to the west.
Hours ago bathed in glow of blood-red sun.
Eternal shining sentinel. Reflection of the fruitsof conquest.
Silent vigil continues. My only company my silent friend. Both of us lingering in the night.
Thought only one waiting for dawn to appear.
Dawn it shall not see, even if it still be breathing.
For its eyes I close.
Eyes I cover with its native soil.
Returning the creature to the world which bore it.
World, no longer theirs.
And never shall be again.
For such are the wiles of the universe.
So here I stand, upon this grave.
Into which body I have deposited.
Waiting for the sun to rise…
Recalling here, once, a battlefield.
Lurking in memory, already growing din.
Their birds of prey dropping out of the sky with but a button's touch.
Vehicles rolling across the sands, unshielded. Our guns, taking out dozens in but single shot.
And now, silence.
Perhaps that is my mercy.
To bury the native where he fell.
…Hail the dead.