Joanna Carman, 'This Place Called War'

[duathir.livejournal.com]

This Place Called War

Ed never cries;
I hear him crying in his bed.
Tomorrow he leaves, his day is near.
His tears, against everything he said
about this place called War,
where women and children, like me,
are saved from monsters.
He stood tall when he told us,
brave as he patted my head
and told me to have trust
in the soldiers to come again -
to come home again?

Might he not come home from War?

Ed never cries.
Mom and I are crying for him.
His back all packed, his day is here,
But Ed looks really scared.
He's not tall and brave anymore; like us,
he's afraid of the monsters.
He picks me up and squeezes,
won't let go of me.
He cries and hugs, and holds on tight.
What if I let him go?
If I let him go...

Will he come home from War?

By Joanna "Joey" Carman
In Loving Memory of SSG Edward W. Carman
Nov. 1976-Apr.2004 - US Army, 2/12 Cavalry