Beyond the Firelight

Written from atop a sand dune in Saudi Arabia, 1991

Embers glow in the desert night
just beyond the firelight.

A coded message arrived today
from the world so far away.
The ciphers stated simply Start Desert Calm
the war is over -- less to bomb.

North of here there is no crowd to cheer and wave,
a crop I've helped to sew -- grave after grave after grave.
Two-hundred thousand lost in the fight
a heavy price for being right...
out there...just beyond the firelight.

Death lies in the history of this ancient place,
it surrounds the people like the chaderi's embrace.
We've taken the reins from Allah's hand
and restored the people to their shifting sand.

Unyielding, we stood for right.
Now as we go we leave the sight
of the Eagle's power once in flight
and a hope of peace...out there...just beyond the firelight.