Push the button.
Pull the lever.
Flip the switch.
No matter where I am, I always start out the day as this,
I push the button on my alarm clock.
Pull the lever to start my shower.
Flip the switch to turn on the lights.
every time, I end with the same results.
I see myself.
My eyes that have seen too much.
Eyes that wish to see nothing more than the comforting darkness behind my eyelids.
Eyes that constantly see eyes in the darkness.
Eyes that see everything except that which I wish to see.
Load the gun.
Chamber the round.
Pull back the hammer.
These are the steps that I take every morning to ensure that my skills are sharp.
I load the gun.
I chamber the round.
I pull back the hammer.
My commander always says that practice makes perfect.
By his rules, I am perfect.
I never missed a practice.
I never missed a target.
I never miss.
Check the safety.
Train the sights.
Pull the trigger.
I check the safety.
I train my sights.
I pull the trigger.
My opponent falls.
I don’t know who he is,
Or where he came from.
I only know my orders.
Fight.
Despite my feelings, I listen.
Despite wondering who the real enemy is I pull the trigger.
Despite the whispers around me and inside of me,
About right or wrong,
I listen to my orders.
Push the button.
Pull the lever.
Flip the switch.
Load the gun.
Chamber the round.
Pull back the hammer.
Check the safety.
Train the sights.
Pull the trigger.
Following these steps I have gained acceptance.
Following these steps I have garnered appreciation.
Following these steps I have solidified my position,
In the deepest pits of Hell.
At home I am seen as a hero.
Here, I am seen as a monster.
At home I am a soldier.
Here I am the devil.
At home the things I’ve done haunt my dreams.
Here I live them.
I am what I am.
I am a soldier.
I am a monster.
I am the devil.
I am.
But I do my job.
I do it well.
My thoughts, feelings, emotions have no place here.
I only have to remember the steps.
Push the button.
Pull the lever.
Flip the switch.
Load the gun.
Chamber the round.
Pull back the hammer.
Check the safety.
Train the sights.
Pull the trigger.
