Headcount

We waited for him in the dank
hollow of our memories,

we had watched him march
with us;
the clockwork soldiers -

- all returned from war's disgrace, or some part of them
at least.

How do we explain
to those
who regaled us heroes -
- applauded our medals

war is something that happens to
other people,

not little boys with innocent smiles
and dreams of playing football.

Don't send any more letters
from home,

your son is dusting away
in the desert,

already picked clean.