For Those Thrust Into War's Maw

For Those Thrust into War's Maw by Michael R. Burch This poem is dedicated to Harvey Stanbrough, an ex-marine who was nominated for the 1999 Pulitzer Prize and has written passionately and eloquently about the horror and absurdity of war in “Lessons for a Barren Population.” No, I will never know what you saw or what you felt, thrust into the maw of Eternity, watching the mortars nightly greedily making their rounds, hearing the soft damp hiss of men’s souls like helium escaping their collapsing torn bodies, or lying alone, feeling the great roar of your own heart. But I know: there is a bitter knowledge of death I have not achieved, and in thankful ignorance, and especially for my son and for all who benefit so easily at so unthinkable a price, I thank you. Published by Romantics Quarterly, Poetic Reflections and Poetry Super Highway as "Privilege." Keywords/Tags: Vietnam War, marines, military, service, honor, duty, bravery, heroism, maw, mortars, rounds, souls, escaping, bodies, corpses, death, heart, roar, bitter, knowledge, thanks, thank you, war, violence, USA, military, courage, patriotic, hero