The Price of Honor

He was a soldier once, a hero of the nation.

He fought for peace and justice, with courage and devotion.

He earned his medals and his scars, he gave his blood and sweat.

He saved his comrades and his foes, he had no fear or regret.

But then the war was over, and he returned to his home.

He found it burned and ravaged, his family dead and gone.

He learned that he was betrayed, by the ones he served so well.

They sold his land and his rights, they left him in a hell.

He felt a rage inside him, a fire that consumed his soul.

He swore to take revenge, he had no other goal.

He gathered all his weapons, he hunted down his foes.

He killed them one by one, he showed them no remorse.

But as he killed the last one, he saw a child in his eyes.

A child who looked like him, a child who feared and cried.

He realized what he had done, he had become a monster.

He had dishonored his own name, he had betrayed his honor.

He dropped his gun and knelt down, he sobbed and prayed for mercy.

But no one heard his cries, no one came to help him.

He was alone and broken, he had no hope or grace.

He took his own life then, he ended his disgrace.