Last Testament of an AK-74 by Tony Ashenden

Lay me down, half boy half man,                  

lay me down, I’m hot.                       

Burning your hands, I am,                 

lay me down, I’m shot.                                  

The next round won’t fire.

                

Warning you, my fresh-faced keeper            

you am wanted by the Reaper.

                   

Would have liked to be a plough,     

would have made good,                                

turning earth, here and now.            

Would have, and should;

                            

instead, they made me a driller                    

of bullets, and you my son, a killer.

              

You praise me, when you’re sleeping,          

you call me your lover                       

but when I’m spitting lead                

you call me a fucker.

                           

Crusader, this round’s a bad one,

and I’m overheating.  I’m done.       

It’ll blow you to kingdom come.

                  

Melting down, I can’t speak now.

Melting down, death trap.

Burning your heart, I am.

Melting down, worthless scrap.

Pray, pity, maker of guns.

Pity the death, of your sons.

-TONY ASHENDEN

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

… he is a short haired, well-built, who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, just old enough to buy a round of drinks but old enough to die for his country. He recently left comprehensive school where he was probably, an average student, played some form of sport, drove a ten-year-old rust bucket, and knew a girl that either broke up with him when he left, or swore to be waiting when he returns home. He moves easily to mood music and hip‐hop, and to the rattle of an AK-74 assault rifle.

Tony is a seasoned traveller; a computer analyst, seaman, shaman, and a complementary alternative therapist. He is a writer of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. In his own words – Life is real only then when I am. Please visit his blog Mine Quick Voice of Aquarius to read more of his work.

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