( a lament)

I am going to die soon

after I kill some more

you sent me here to kill

sent me here to die

you will only bring me back

in a flag-draped box

how many more before me

how many many more after

yes we are killing more of them

and many more after I am gone

I am your son your daughter

you loved me taught me love

here I see love turned to grief

to fear and hate and despair

I want to come home now

to walk again in my community

to feel the goodness of love

as you welcome me hold me

no tears or grief or pain

to live simply yet larger

to tell you all I have learned

teach you mercy and forgiveness

but that I guess is not to be

the mortar rounds are coming in

the evil beauty of war

surrounds me now puts out my light

look at me in my box

take my hand kiss my head

say your prayers of grief

of fear and hate and despair

you have given me my peace

I will study war no more

and I will not be alone

I took a child with me to heaven

Peter Buknatski

Montpelier, Vt.