Letter Home (May 1st 2011) Poem by Hm. Nes

Dear Mom,
They said I could say this much: I'm fine.
And, O, I fired my weapon for the first time
In live action. They were right: I loved the thrill.
They also said, 'Don't think of the ones you kill.
'Instead, you have to think about the reason…'
Remember gearing up for the eighth season
Of Friends, staying up all night watching old shows?
The phone woke us. 'Don't answer! ' you said. 'Who knows?
'It could be my boss. He'll know I hit the snooze.
'I'll lose my job.' But only you didn't lose-
All the others consumed by the smoke and flames.
As we watched, you said, 'Everything's gonna change.'
Soon we heard his name, the guy who claimed credit
For bombing your shop, and you almost in it.
I swore that I'd kill him for what he had done.
You said, 'You're eleven! ' I said, 'I'm your son! '
On long, dark, cold nights, it is you that I miss,
And for you that I kept a small boy's promise.
They said I could tell you just this much: I'm fine,
And, O, I fired my weapon for the first time.