Feb 2020
Play me a sad song?
But what of this joyous day
Summer unfurls before us
And warm sunshine tans my skin
Sure we toil in trenches
Dug as defensive lines
Against a swarm
So complete in its hostility
But brothers, hear the sounds of nature
Echoing around us
Wrapping us in soft cacoons
Of sweet distraction
So do not sing a sad song
Don't dampen my ephemeral mood
Let me have this moment of reprieve
As I dig trenches
On a future battlefield
But what of this joyous day
Summer unfurls before us
And warm sunshine tans my skin
Sure we toil in trenches
Dug as defensive lines
Against a swarm
So complete in its hostility
But brothers, hear the sounds of nature
Echoing around us
Wrapping us in soft cacoons
Of sweet distraction
So do not sing a sad song
Don't dampen my ephemeral mood
Let me have this moment of reprieve
As I dig trenches
On a future battlefield
This poem was written in Afghanistan in 2010. It is the only positive piece I have written from the portion of my life. And those of you who've read my other poems about war probably know that very well. It was just a strange day as summer began and we were in our short sleeve shirts building defensive barriers, surrounded by towering mountains. It was such a beautiful sight. It made me think about working in the yard with my dad and the feeling of bonding and accomplishment at a day's toil.
