Unfazed by the flesh

Carpeted landscape behind them

They advanced, undeterred

By the story before them

With bows against Kalashnikovs

They trudged on

Fear shrinking in disgust

At their impeccable bravado

Terror fleeing in their wake

Death fell like hail around

Them, the symphony of fatality

Resonated through their auricles

But like men of Leonidas

They fought

Holding their hellespoint

Like the last breath of air

Knowing their bloods will be water

Their fleshes will be fodder

For tomorrow’s vanquisher

Their dying lips utter

The pledge over and over

Scorning death in splendour

They wished for a bullet

In the heart