We'll always have the Potemkin.

I've heard
the sound of a dead man's laughter,
and I smiled along.

I've lived
the ostracism
of he who is different.

I've reinvented myself
so many times,
and I don't think I got lost.

I've learnt the life of a peasant,
to open coconuts with a cutlass,
to feel the warming sun on my skin
after the rigours of winter.

I've seen a monster of the blitzkrieg
as a toothless crocodile.
I've seen the faces of my children
through a car's window, going away,
whilst they called for me.

I've seen my death more times
than I care to remember.
I've fought dog packs
with a small stub of a stick.
I've braved the sea, and I learnt respect.

I've seen the machine of justice
working for oppression,
"dieu et mon droit"
on the heraldry shield.

I've seen the harrier hover,
the glebe dive,
the turtle in its underwater flight,
and rats,
so many rats,
on two and four legs.

I've seen the cuts scar,
the treason of my closest family,
now sadly dead
in an accident of survival.

I found friends in the most unlikely places,
and sworn enemies who didn't know of my existence before going to war.

I'm here,
30 minutes away from falling
apparently silent.

I'm here, and will remain.
Many sights left,
which I hope to share with you.

Hopefully in the 1.0,
but we'll always have this,
here.

Now.