An empty valley, save for a few boulders and a lonely tree
Afghan mountains on each side, snowcapped in late winter
The patrol stands alone, overwatch promised
A familiar promise, sometimes kept
The sound of fire, a PKM I think
“Get Down,” shouts A.J., on his stomach behind a boulder
No.  No.  I wouldn’t fall to my knees today
I would see my enemy on open ground
Frustrated from days of unseen attackers
Hidden behind rockets, and distance, and civil population
Invisible threats around each corner, on each hill
Invisible and everywhere
I stand alone in this empty valley, determined to see my enemy
He’s far away, upon a hilltop
I see him crouched behind his gun, an RPK perhaps
Even at this distance, I imagine his eyes
He stares at me with rage worn on his face like an old shemagh
But I imagine I see more behind his eyes
A fear I think, a frustration, a nervousness
Feelings born from years of cultivated hate
Years and years of lack of civility, lack of security
I imagine I see his eyes and I know he can see mine
Two lives intertwined
Brothers who bear arms to defend their beliefs
And enemies forged of inmost hatred
I imagine I see him hesitate, his finger rested on well-worn trigger
Waiting and weighing my life and worth
His split-second decision never comes
The guns of overwatch bark like dogs of war
The familiar promise is kept today
Some men came home as evening set, some did not
As Afghan mountains watched over an empty valley