I’ve Just Killed Jim

By Myles Fletcher

So there I was, in my usual spot,

Observing the targets, armed or not,

I know their lives, their every quirk,

I know how and when they like to work

I see Jack and John and James,

I have given each one names,

That helps me keep track,

As I watch from the back,

As each of them go on with their days

And there I see Jim,

Standing proper and prim,

My primary target,

I keep the sights on him,

He has a lover you know,

Seen him kissed on the cheek,

I know everything about him,

Though I’ve been here just a week,

He knows where the weapons are hid,

He’s good with the kids,

Who like to play around the town square,

But all I can think,

Is the soon to be fate of the man standing right there

My number 2 gives me readings,

I dial in the scope,

As the trigger is pulled,

There goes my last glimpse of hope

Direct hit, blood spurts into the air,

As his body fell, I stare,

Even though no one in the platoon care,

I think to myself,

Christ, I’ve just killed Jim

They pat me on the back,

Say “Good shot mate”,

Was he really someone I was destined to hate,

I think to myself,

Christ, I’ve just killed Jim

It just felt so wrong,

A man's life was gone,

From the bullet, of which I had fired,

I think to myself,

Christ, I’ve just killed Jim

As I lay in my bed,

I see this man dead,

The reticle of my scope still in memory

And all I can think,

As my mind starts to sink is

Christ,

I’ve just killed Jim.