Reputation!

His reputation had followed his career

even since he left the army

boasting they had taught him to shoot

given a dishonorable discharge

for an unlawful killing he did not agree

not listening to his plea!

 

Through his skills and knowledge of guns

he became a sniper for hire

as a mercenary fought in countless battles

but it never sat easy slaying

because every victim he killed remained

haunting him why unexplained!

 

He was not a believer in the paranormal

this he kept telling himself

at first just an odd glimpse like a shadow

certain it was his conscience

but as years passed were becoming vivid

making his personality frigid!

 

As the date of his fiftieth birthday neared

the dead seemed more real

than all the living he daily encountered

becoming evermore distant

from the reality of a once methodical life

his whole being took a dive!

 

Becoming decrepit for one still classed as young

the once untarnished reputation

crumbled becoming more inaccurate and sloppy

taking out the wrong targets

unable to detect fact from any reality he grasped

in his hands the gun he clasped!

 

Unable to distinguish those living from the dead

fired the bullitt entered his brain

he would rather face the many he slaughtered

than see them clearly all around

his mind had finally gone could live no more

would he enter heavens door?

 

And for eternity walk the path of damnation

or maybe he would find salvation!

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

 

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