100
Flakes of shimmering amber
Shower from the iridescent sky
As gorgeous as a child’s first sight of falling snow,
the frozen facial expressions like an open nutcracker.
Bystanders struck by a shockwave of awe.
A deer in the headlights of a freight train.
Mouths agape and crimson lips quivering in terror,
the kind of face your mother said would get stuck that way.
Children are shielded from the mother’s mistake
that has caused this bellowing madness.
Weakened and limp the camouflaged corporal controls himself,
ears ringing louder than the liberty bell’s clamor,
the area as quiet as a hummingbird’s invisible wings.
Wiping the glistening sweat from his bloodied brow,
the soldier stumbles to gather his thoughts.
Sitting up aching and dizzy he grabs a hold of his weapon.
Like a security blanket, the cold metal is comfortable and warm.
Lost in the confusion he squeezes the trigger,
pretending he’s squeezing his arms around his newborn son
for the first time.
Only a few more months left for the soldier,
An addiction to red mist and searing shells holds him back,
from seeing his son.
He is left fighting for home.
