Soldier

(Iraq and Afghanistan) Far from home Fighting an enemy wearing civilian dress In sweltering lands of a desert people Fighting shadows Fearing the next suicide bomber. There is no glory only death With snipers on rooftops Landmines on lonely sandy roads Exploding under army vehicles Terrors playing cruel mind games Breaking the mind asunder. There was a promise made Whispered to a weeping mother While held within her farewell embrace Promising to return home safe And not within a flag draped coffin.