The Last Prayer

I am to die my mother
In my service to this land.
God beckons with open arms,
With the angles' dulcet band.

I've done what I cannot say,
There is much yet to be done.
I fall as a soldier but
I know I've not been a son.

As I go I have a prayer,
Not to my God but to you -
The mother I failed to serve,
The one in whose arms I grew.

Hold me mother when I am cold;
Don't torch me in a hurry.
When my soul is at such peace
Why burn me in a flurry?

Put me in the sun, put me
Beneath the glorious sky,
Put me in the attendance
Of Gods in heavens high.

Put me where mortals may see
One that died so others may scheme
Let me mingle with the clay
And percolate in every dream

So one day a world is born
A kingdom of pens not guns
So peace at last may prevail
O'er the bones of many dead sons.