On the Shoulders of Giants

Do you see, my Son?
The glimpse of the rarefied air
The view above the rampart
The Watch along the Wall

Peak above the turret,
just over the defilade.
Stand tall behind the sandbags;
stacked, tamped, reinforced

By our comrades in arms
Trust their wisdom
Trust in their skill
Aged quickly in the furnace

Plunged swiftly into war.
Stand tall and see the enemy
Over the top, one and all
Climb the mountain of pack and pile

And stand on the shoulders of Giants.

_________________

This first appeared in The Havok Journal on March 23, 2021.

Marshall McGurk served nearly five years with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) after a stint with the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). He enjoys scotch, cigars, good books, foreign films, and critical thinking. He is passionate about international relations, domestic affairs, and successful veteran transition. He serves in the Army Reserve. Email him at mtmcgurk@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter.