Faces of War
There are many faces of war.
Some are seen daily,
on the news.
Others remain hidden from view.
They range far and wide.
The toothless old man
fighting to save his home,
a one room mud hut
and an acre of parched sandy soil.
The beautiful young woman
with long thick, flowing hair
and eyes of green,
a belt of explosives
wired to a cell phone
that she carries diligently.
The zestful young man who,
along with his friends,
attacks a lonely guard tower
late one night,
all in the name of Allah.
The small, naked toddler
playing in the water filled bomb crater,
oblivious to the danger.
A previously innocent
twelve year old boy
armed with a rifle, four bullets,
and decades of hatred for the infidels
passed down multiple generations,
takes a stand against
a well trained soldier.
The innocent bystander
on his morning commute,
caught in the crossfire.
I carry these faces
in the back of my mind.
They are etched
in my memory
by smoke and blood,
incinerated onto my soul
like the flames
that stole their lives.
Copyright © Linda Smith | Year Posted 2007
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