faces probing my restless dreams
faces staring
into my eyes

“Don’t leave me here… Sarge
Don’t leave me here!”

and I left them.

Years later they return
drifting
within the darkness beyond midnight

telling me
that when the war ends
… (and many years later)
some will call it the ‘Iron Triangle’
and… ”We were there Sarge”!

I get into my truck each day
I go to work
I give my money to my wife

I give my soul
to my soldiers… gone!

I left them there.