With their shadowed brows and camouflaged stealth

soldiers are practising on the heath

as I awake, the put put of small arms fire

dotting the distance on the rutted scrubland

with sweeping views over Cove and Aldershot,

controlled aggression telling a staccato story

primeval dreams coming true

 

scattering the wildlife with their restless presence

likewise uniformed they try to blend,

and I take solace from distance

anticipating the next burst

juggling safety and threats

knowing that with their blanks

they practised for peace.