the war is finally over
all the soldiers have gone home
all the fallen buried
six feet beneath cool loam
we have cleaned our weapons
and put them all away
naive to think we'll leave them there
so safely out of play
so secretly I stash one
a dagger down my boot
hidden landmines waiting
I know surrender's moot
I never sought this conflict
you brought it to my door
now battle scarred and weary
there's nothing left worth fighting for
every time our eyes meet
or you walk into the room
my heart is filled with terror
and an impending sense of doom
you say the war is over
and the time's come to atone
but I'm still staring at the battlefield
where I fought so long alone
counting up the endless cost
and the losses I have born
thinking of the price I've paid
for the scars I've never worn
you say you want alliance
there's a treaty I should sign
we two will forge an empire
if I'll just cross your line
I'm stuck here staring wide-eyed
shell-shocked and bloody still
haunted by my damage
as hot tears begin to spill
sadly I cannot recall
my many murdered pieces
casualties of this war you waged
still gone once fighting ceases
a heart abused and so unloved
like a soldier too long at war
will clutch the weapon not the branch
to settle up the score
so regretfully I must decline
to come sit at your table
a walking wounded soldier
quits the field while she's able