This piece was written as an exercise. The challenge: The setting is the deep South in the midst of the American Civil War. A soldier is about to kill an enemy – it’s the first time he has ever killed anyone. What does he think? What happens to him psychologically? What does he do?
The enemy approaches…our soldier hides behind a tree … waiting ….
———
…steady….steady…
This is for you, Mary…every damned one o’em ‘ll pay for the bloody disgrace they laid on you.
Now!…
No…not yet…steady….
Just a wee bit closer. Le’me see the whites o’yor eyes, you scum…
Aw, Mary, y’know, I won’t never forget your golden smile…
Steady…steady, Nellie, we’ll get ’em right soon enough…
Aw, Mary, I know you wondn’ta approved…but, you deserved so much better…
C’mon, c’mon, you varmint…just a little bit closer….
Squeeze…now…slow…slow…
This ‘n’s for the babe she carried…
<BANG>
An’ this un’s for her broken heart…
<BANG>
An’ this un’s for…
<BANG>
© Joan-Marie Moss 2015