The War Within

It happened in 1967,
When blood spilled and heads scattered,
Mothers begged our captors; life,
We breathed between cracks,
Cramped toes and stiff necks in the box,
Her tears quenched my thirst.
I never spoke, not even a word.
How could I?

Hot days spent in crowded solitude,
Windy nights trapped in an unending nightmare.
Was I responsible for her futile fights?
She cried, my fallen soldier
I had lost my voice,
My strength and will.
My silver spoon crushed like one of a slave.
Paper records say the fight ended in 1970.
Mine dreadfully ended with the thrust of his knife...1969