Christmas Day 2006

I'm opening up, sorry.

We found him in a ditch by the road

His body mutilated 

His ears cut off

His tongue ripped out 

His eyes gouged out 

Two 45 rounds through his head

I stared for a moment

then looked away

I was numb to it 

If 

I didn't look to long 

but I knew

The taste of violence in my throat

The weight and slime on my hands

When I picked him up 

like a sack of garbage

In the stench of the late morning heat

heavy like rancid sweets

cleansing me of humanity 

 making space for the horrific indifference 

that had become my life 

We threw him in the truck

We dropped him at the morgue 

In front of the mosque 

The old cleric smiled

but 

he hated us

We knew that

The next IED

The next mortar round 

The next sniper's bullet

Could be mine

Back home in a box

In my dress blues 

Amounting to nothing 

over a war for nothing 

But I survived

 I have to live with that 

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this is really telling especially, "the old cleric smiled/ but he hated us."

picking up pieces of our friend...that is quite a statement of war, especially the wars that are for nothing...and it is so sad when our soldiers feel that they have amounted to nothing because of it.

[Chris Micha]

I know we aren't on the best terms my friend, but I just wanted to tell you bravo for such a courageous piece. Not only have you poured your soul out but you have created a great piece of work. I can't imagine the horror and the numbing effects it had on you. I pray that God gives you peace with it all!

[Baby Ricochet]

I've not been on the WC much lately. Thanks for stopping by Christian. I appreciate it.

[Lyn Anderson]

Wow, opening up about this -- it is powerful stuff -- well done.

[Baby Ricochet]

thanks kl