Fallujah (for Phil)

For a fallen brother

A hornets' nest like all the rest--
The boasting all was hollow.
The mission at hand: a line in the sand.

Now many are gone, but you are one
We knew and loved and followed--
Died in the sand, rifle in hand.

They lived, the rest-- they took the nest,
But you, the desert swallowed.
Far but dear, we'll take it from here.

Stand down, Marine;
We'll take you home from here.