Mine Enemy

Poetry for a contest. Never sent in papers. Didn't really care to. Here you go.

In front of the firing squad,
I welcome my inevitable death,
The battle hardened faces of my comrades meet mine,
Their gazes so frightened, so travestated,
And then I capture eyes with mine enemy,

But nothing catches my gaze,
I stare through him with disbelief,
A snake curls out of his lifeless mouth,
It strikes to intimidate,
Mocking the power it holds inside,

I do not flinch in my paranoia,
I do not beg mercy of my captors,
I merely await my death with a simple intrigue,
The guns are raised to waist level,
And before a shot is fired my stomach bursts into flames,

I hold steady and do not waiver,
The command is given for the execution,
The most beautiful sound I ever heard,
And with a final grin,
I raise my hand towards mine enemy,
And whisper, “Goodbye old friend.”