Many miles and many years
from the Cambodian Border
I wake these days at ground level,
a better soldier who has tasted dust,
crawled on ambush patrol eager
to fire on any man or woman
charging me with an urge to kill,
no longer fearful, no longer vain
As for my son, my daughter,
and the many wars to come,
let me stand their watch so
they too may have lovers,
cherish each smooth detail,
eat and drink well, see the world
in its many ways and peoples,
walk forests and streams peacefully,
lay on beaches to take the sun,
listen to the shrieks of swirling gulls,
search waters of oceans and calm lakes
Take me and leave them alone
I am good at this gruesome business
I passed the course and it was easy