there is no need for
Private First Class to ever forget
that he was in a war in Iraq
shortly after he graduated from high school.
he’s not shocked! ! !
when so many ask him about his “limp”
that many expect would “belong” to an old man.
his memory comes with a purple heart
for his military service in 2003.
part of his leg is missing
and he’s not yet twenty-three years old
which never horrifies Private First Class
as much as…
missing the opportunity to serve his country
which he did not…
when duty called.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem