Poem

Something I recently put together in my writing course (which I've decided I'm going to continue for another 5 weeks)

Eyes Wide Open

In perfect formation
  peaceful and still
two hundred boots
  aligned on a hill

In ten neat rows
  in each ten pairs
pungent leather
  in autumn’s damp air

weather beaten
  scuffed and brown
now empty soles
  without a sound

tell of Esteban
  or John or Lee
shot or dispatched
  by an IED

identical but for a tag
  and a name
their dreams too
  were much the same

one boot holds a news clip
  another a rose
in this one a photo
  a happy pose

before shipping out
  with his duffle bag
thence to return
  draped in the flag

And I softly pacing
  from pair to pair
read each precious name
  and whisper a prayer