Rustic Flowers

Rustic flowers on beggar’s grave
Penance for one I couldn't save
Mortality held in palm of hand
Slipped past like bullet brand

Grim twas assassin’s name
Unfortunate tis lifeless claim
Self-imposed fixed paradox
Modest tis humble box

Etched on soiled stone,
“Thwarted by self-dethrone”
Idle tis harrowed impart
No pardon mends war-torn heart

Dispirited soldier’s beseech
For peace, he could not reach
On lips contemptuously said
It'd be best if I were dead