For Iraq I Cry Poem by Arthor Journer

Dichotomy of being in the place where life started
But the ensuing breath of death here leaves me broken hearted
The sand no longer a golden yellow but now blood red
No life can be formed from the earth just seeds of the dead
Once a garden full of unconquerable peace and endless beauty
Now full of stench and hearts bound to perform their duty
This hump is where my brother now lies
For his family his comrades tears well in my eyes
So much potential so many dreams buried in the sand
So many grieved children hard for me to understand
My soul has been shell-shocked so it flinches at a butterfly
Tomorrows no longer guaranteed perhaps my future too will die
Suppose that bullet was meant for me or perhaps that mortar
Suppose my guts will be the spoils of this war
Here so far from home so far from the things once taken for granted
Here dreaming of so many things hated but now recanted
Sounds of the helo echo in my midnight dreams
Explosions surround my midday mental seams
Soul shocked at times my flesh can only silently lie
For my fate for my life all I can do is to cry
My convoy rolls nervous fearful of each city block
Apprehensive of who will jump out and take a shot
Here where the first man first temptation to sin
Now in the same spot my life is threatened deep within
While you argue about should I be here and what my life is worth
I am here assaulted, hungry, and lifeless on this earth
While you debate if more souls should join me
I am here scared, skeptical, not alone but lonely
As days melt into each other and as nights go by
I think of all of you lift my hands to heaven and cry
A child appears like the children I remember back home
But with my gun clenched their intentions are unknown
Every smile is suspect still wary of waving hands
But nervous and frightful my soul must stand