> casualty

I left these words

most unfinished,  

that drawing final day

keep me covered

keep me safe 

keep me warm

our savored scent 

of coffee sweet 

kindness in your tears 

make this day

here with you 

remembered

as safe and warm

lost in flight from all I love.

destination dark, or worse  

dream of safety in your prayers

but covered in distant arms

wake to early whiskey shots   

mindless brutal duty

one day you will uncover

the shadows I consume

and fear me when I swallow 

what passed before my eyes

where only bad things happen

softened death, ebbing light

count the years adrift in fog,

or better,  red tidal foam 

a waste of life left to crescent moon

where my sullied heart beats black.

but then, again, once sighted

through dancing burning palms

razing hopes of my last homeland

calling me, calling me. come home 

grace and burdened duty

bring me home from idling war

let me be with you

once again at home

once again safe and warm

one day I will see you weeping

kept close and safe and warm

keep me covered

keep me safe 

keep me...

from war

-dp-

8-18-15