Windtalker

He was a 'windtalker' Navajo warrior of a secret tongue Sworn to vows that are stronger Than blood ties to which we belong He came to my line suddenly Talked in shadows, just a friend Was grounded in Kandahar briefly Handling lines of coded ends Never gave me his name But grim words painted scenes Of the ugliness of war games Like nothing he has ever seen. As I read his lines they took me To that place like the gates of hell Sand, heat, and blood there freely Flow with bullets and bombs that fell The talk was a brief moment's respite Brought him back for a glimpse of this Earth He knew any time Death he could meet He windtalked his heart for its worth.