I Hate War

THE SANDMAN

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE COLD BLANK FACE
OF ONE YOU USED TO KNOW?
HORRID TEARS IN SOFT FRAIL SKIN
NEATH DESERT STARS AGLOW.

I’LL TELL YOUR MOM AND DAD I WILL
OF THE MANY THINGS YOU’VE DONE.
I’LL TELL THEM HOW YOU LAUGHED AT HELL
AND HOW YOU DIDN’T RUN.

NO PAIN DID YOU FEEL I SAY
WHILE SITTING IN THEIR DEN.
SOME SAY WE WON THE BATTLE
BUT DID WE REALLY WIN?

I SLEEP AT NIGHT ON COLD DAMP SHEETS
FLAMING MASSES COURSE MY MIND.
THAT FACE OF YOURS SO DEAD AND PALE
BUT YET SO DEAR AND KIND.

THUS, THE PRICE WE EACH MUST PAY
IS VERY STEEP INDEED.
AND THOUGH THE FIGHT IS OVER,
THERE ARE MANY WHO STILL BLEED.

PATRICK