Here’s to not killing yourself
with DA issued narcotics
with Deer Hunting Rifles
Recreation what life left
in forest in sand
in the White Throne Room
where you sat among
blood & brothers
and the Valkyrie your sisters
when you raised up your call
sign like a prayer
and called down hell
fire in our age
where our every battle is
ragnarok and you wept
without shame in salute
and the throng of well wishers
I am a part
the kind you met
at the arrival gate
shook hands and welcomed back
visitors
if there is anyone
Welcome Back
the kind that could mark
your wounds by
your inabilities
to speak to speak to listen
in anything but blast fragments
the kind that never knew
the certainty of steel
and the strength of the wild flowers
as you patrolled with men
and ate alone
for what company
is there in men?
leaving the divided house
and the black tent
the cry of the delivery room
and the shout of the bedroom
racing into the crackling fire
that you mistook for sunrise
the distant moon
that you mistook for friend
the laughter of wolves
We allowed to circle us in
and lay to rest
We refuse to rest
warring till our company arrives
warring till our company arrives
warring for our company who holds the line
in blood and breath and life itself
here’s to not killing
yourself.
