Epilog To Reconnaissance

EPILOG TO RECONNAISSANCE PATROL by JOHN M. ARRIBAS Survived again, back to CP, a successful patrol Brought back some intel, lost nary a soul Exhausted, safe, suddenly my hands are shaking Continued patrols is madness in the making Fear enemy patrols, running into each other Can’t stop thinking about my worried mother In a few short days I’ll again reburden my soul Wish it was a ball game, damn it, another patrol Some men sleep in hopes of not being deployed Some men can’t sleep, dread of being deployed Can’t do this again, I’m teetering on a ledge Next patrol I’ll surely topple over the edge Stop it, stop it, stop it damn it Put on a good face, laugh, don’t act too serious Calm down, be nonchalant, fear is contagious Last thanksgiving mom made deep dish pies Man says he is not scared is telling you lies Play cards, tell jokes, have fun, make friends Stroll over to the briefing its that time again