I Sit and Wait

by Cpl Daniel Snuffer, USMC, 1972
1/9/3 - "The Walking Dead"

I sit and wait, my rifle so cold hours ago now hot by the relentless sun.
I sit and wait, my eyes stinging by the sweat streaming into them wide open.
I sit and wait, for the enemy that has taken from me my brothers so dear.
I sit and wait, dirt and grit mingled with my sweat grinding into my being.
I sit and wait, patiently waiting for the time to go home to my family.
I sit and wait, silently; invisible, breathless, relentless, accurate that is me.

I sit and wait, for a wife for children for a family of my own in the future.
I sit and wait, looking in my mind for things that might not be by the morrow.
I sit and wait, and slowly almost motionless my foe appears for he waits not.
I sit and aim, he has presented me with a difficult shot, so I wait and wait and wait.
My body jolts, the enemy’s body disappears all except for a quivering hand.
I sit and wait, seconds like an eternity until all motion stops and silence grows.

I sit and wait, knowing that for him waiting is no longer his option.
I sit and wait, and wonder who waits for him will he be missed tomorrow.
In my mind a thought I ponder, wouldn’t be gone had he not ventured out yonder.
I sit and wait, for the enemy that has taken from me my brothers so dear.
I sit and wait, my rifle so cold hours ago now hotter by the difficult shot.
I sit and wait, silently; invisible, breathless, relentless, accurate that is me.

Dedicated to our brothers and sisters in Iraq who sit and wait.

Submitted 15 July 2007
© 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Other writings by Daniel Snuffer...

Fighting Ships
The Fight for the Laffey DD-724
The Lone Rifleman
God's Twinking Light
Dan's Marine Corps Memoirs

Moving Stories for Christmas
Christmas Cookies and an Empty Shoe Box
Christmas Eve, A Young Marine and a Snowflake

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