David Dunham

As though they’d been sent as the devil’s own spawn
Those beast’s preyed on us from the dusk to the dawn.

She was only seven.
She’d just been beat.

I read my book, it’s chapter last and put it then away;
Intending to retrieve it soon and read again some day.

So ‘til my time is over, Lord, and I have been relieved,
I’ll walk these halls and listen for the sounds of soldiers needs.

3 weeks for 2 and in 5
I’ll be back in Iraq.
They’ll still be killing each other.
I’ll still be doing my job.
It’ll be hot then.

The fireman didn’t stop to think, the crowd knew not his name,
But donned his mask without a pause and ran into the flame.

‘Twas no surprise that morning as the sun broke o’er the ridge
Cannon roared and smoke poured forth ‘til nearly all was hid.

If she had stayed,
maybe she would have enjoyed this moment.

A voice pleads for me not to shoot
But I have been well trained.

“What wouldst thou give”, the bard did quip,
“To savor yonder lady’s lips?