Holding Ground

I leave town on a thin scar

In search of a good vein

To snake around the marsh land

On riddled higher ground  

canopy shredded in silent

blinding fusillades

that drive back the implacable night

under the strictest orders

to hold my ground

at any cost

blithely unaware

hostilities have ceased

surrender negotiated

in the lead up to battle

maintaining this position

awaiting my new orders

rehearsing the secret password

the relief column sure to appear.