Page 167 - The Circle of Life

I drink

Padre

To keep my memories

At bay

I am nineteen Padre

Why do I feel

So old and worn?

Why can’t it be

Like the books?

Padre

For God’s sake answer me”

Needless to say I had no answer that day nor since, and now I don’t give a you-
know-what if you saw the movie. The Chaplains left me in an undignified silent

manner, muttering to themselves and shaking their wise heads while looking at
me as if I were the unbalanced one. They were still climbing into the chopper

when we started our Casspirs and set out to hunt for terrorists to kill. They had
delayed me for more than an hour with their uncalled for visit and the spoor

went cold because of it. I still blame them for robbing us of our kills. This was
really not the SAP COIN way!

My comments must have caused a stir amongst them. My commanding officer

looked at me rather strangely a few days later and asked if I wanted some to
take some leave as the Chaplains recommended strongly recommended it, and
said that they were praying for my lost soul. They also send me a book of poems

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