OLIVE DRAB II - Free Verse

OLIVE DRAB II

For A1C Steve Faust, SGT Randy Carter, SGT Greg Colcun, and TSGT Hurcalano: casualties of an undeclared war on US Air Force Service Men, October - December 1987, Clark Air Base - Republic of the Philippines

A Hero's call is a Siren that beckons
Red lips dripping a poisoned sweetness
Me a mist, a legacy decided in seconds.

Each line, a story plowed
Each line, a remnant of a person, time, or place
Each furrow upon my face.

Furrows deep, long and last
Strata recordings of the past
Like chlorophylled life's weathered rings
Time and pressure's paving.

By the beast poised to devour
A road too often traveled
Unfurled, telling us to cower.

RAW fangs impale and hold
Ringing up dark destinies before young grow old
Afterward, blood and bone do occupy more space
Recorded on my brow forever, your once smiling face.

Furrows deep under green striped cammo masks
Javelin light piercing the trees, light blood
Spearing untested swollen faces, looking aghast.

Furrows deep, my torment, my friends, my keep
Resurface at times now fading to trouble my sleep
Do not pity or drum the score
Humanity must forgive
That we who protect shall die no more.

Until then, that call will come to others like us
Should our gaze meet while passing by, accept from me
Time's grooves of proud sorrow, my visual symphony.

Then you will know, that I too fought
As I "Dress Right Dress" into a squad of ghosts
Like you, the coward's call is a call that I answered not.