Coiled tension
like a  spring
tightly wound

at rest
never resting

what wasn't said, what was
action and inaction
what could, what if

can't forget
wide awake

laden with turbulent thoughts
adrift in a roiling storm
a grainy record, looping

If only I. If only I. If only I.
if only if only
if -

Poetry is freedom
Free of the shackles
of grammar
and format

Free verse
Forever

KABUL, Afghanistan
scorching sun
phantoms of heat
drifting above the roadway

Col. Geoff Parker, 42
"rising star"
perched in the command vehicle
proudly on guard

Taliban
wild rush -- crump
waves of heat and fire
spinning debris

"This barbaric act of aggression"
anger and outrage
desert wind flutters
tattered and scorched fatigues

"It's always unfortunate"
reek of charred flesh
guttering flames
unfortunate

A foul wind blows off the wastes
Across a border set in stone
A land caught in winter's embrace

A fortress stands,
Stark and steadfast against the dark
Walls that have broken sword and tooth

Helmeted sentries
Alert and ready upon the ramparts
Never knowing peace
Wed only to death

Within the walls, life goes on
The chatter of townsfolk,
Hawkers shouting their wares,
The stomp of armoured feet
Marching to the city's heart

The keep
The citadel at the heart
Firm and steadfast
Held by men of valour,
Peace favour their swords.

I don't have to think
the thinking has already been done
for me ahead of time

it's all by rote
I've figured it out beforehand
I can speak now

my thoughts have been given form
and made ready
I don't have to think now

the verses flow by
steady, stanza by stanza
my tongue,
my mind

now is freed

It's cruel and indecent of me
to expect you to climb
these walls

They are my walls,
I realize that now

To hide behind
to shut out the light
I care not to see

So I built this palisade
and from the ramparts
I can see you struggle and fume

It's my fault
I know
but I can begin to see

The sunlight
through the cracks

Unto world's ruin
           where at the touch of a button
           a man can end millions
           without ever seeing the look in their eyes