War is a concept that is, so far, exclusive to humans. Man or woman, children or elderly, white or black. Many fight in wars with ambition, hoping that they would be realized through their efforts on the endless battlefields of morals, metals, and bodies. Some wish for peace, to end the cycle of violence and conflict. Others seek liberty and freedom. It is when ideals clash that war is made. This series of texts are made with the intent of raising awareness about humanitarian and pacifistic values and beliefs among readers.
The backstory revolves around a bitter death of a Sergeant for the Canadian Military, Samson Payens, who was killed by a byproduct of war—a child soldier. Many were hurt from his untimely death, from comrades to family. With child soldiers as young as 12 having served in many wars, such as the two world wars, and with many children being recruited openly in many more modern civil wars, the events that transpire in the multi-text are not far from the truth; in fact, they may even fail to capture the grim and gory reality of war, and water it down.
Although it is common sense that a journey for peace from conflict is a lost cause, many still fight wars and fall on battlefields in search of peace. The short story, "Cannot Take," written from the perspective of Sergeant Payens, follows his last thoughts as he succumbs to a grim realization that his efforts may be ultimately worthless.
The poem, "I Am Become Death's Merchant," written in the perspective of the bullet that deals the killing blow to Sergeant Payens, brings an insight into how accustomed to war humans have become. The shooting of the bullet reveals the irony in humans' efforts to achieve peace by inflicting harm and suffering, and their ambition to end wars by investing heavily in the industry of war.