I killed a man today,
It happened in my waking,
I looked in the mirror and there he was,
His heart forever breaking.

I killed a child today,
He was in my head playing,
And in three ranks at attention standing,
Into the past he fades praying.

I killed my love today,
It was in my heart singing,
But in my rifles report it fled,
And in its absence leaves a stinging.

I killed a soldier this afternoon,
It was when I took off those clothes,
And when I sit and talk with my friends,
The ghosts of the child and man in me flows.