HE who has given
A hostage knows
All ways of dying
Terror shows:
He feels the cord
About his throat,
The knife blade striking
Through his coat.
Against his breast
Bright bullets spit;
He falls forgotten
In a pit.
Slowly he starves;
Swiftly a wave
Carries his body
To the grave.
All this is naught
To waking when
He dreams the hostage
Safe again.