by Paul David Adkins
The commander rotated fresh lieutenants
to a rocket-magnet FOB
to get their feet wet.
There, they earned
their Combat Action Badges.
Incoming rounds impacted
one thousand meters outside
the sand-bagged perimeter.
He retrieved his officers
from the bush the next week,
a little singed.
Napoleon claimed,
I could conquer
the world
The commander decided the risk
was low
though he lost one soldier to
“a lucky shot.”
She received a Purple Heart,
Bronze Star Medal,
spangled shroud,
free, dark flight to Dover.
if only
I had enough
ribbon.
The unit lined an airfield road
to salute her
Humvee hearse
enroute to the helipad.
The bayonets of their new black CABs
pointed like gag direction signs
nailed to a post in the center
of camp:
Chicago 6416 Miles.
Seattle 10921 Kilometers.
Baghdad You’re Soaking In It.
