"Captured in the Wind"

“Captured in the Wind”

The desert heat, the dusty sky
The endless wind and sand.
Our night patrol continues on
Across this barren land.

As our tank rumbles through the dusk
My head nods in a daze
Not quite asleep, not quite awake
My eyes begin to glaze.

The night is dark; I cannot see
But suddenly I smell
The fragrant scent of fresh-made bread,
It’s something I know well.

My thoughts are drifting off to home;
My mind is going back.
Two loaves of Grandma’s raisin bread
Are cooling on the rack.

The breeze then shifts and suddenly
New visions come to pass.
My dad is mowing our back yard.
I smell the fresh cut grass.

Another shift, a springtime gust,
The roses are in bloom.
My mother loves the darkest pinks.
I smell their sweet perfume.

I’m in the garden with my mom.
I smell the fresh spring rain.
Sometimes I think these little dreams
Are all that keep me sane.

But then I’m jolted back awake
My country to defend
And all my memories of home
Are captured in the wind.


rhyme: abcb
meter: 8-6-8-6