From March 13-16th, U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will testify to what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground in these occupations. To provide a preview, we've created this short film. The film features three members who will be testifying at Winter Soldier and includes videos and photographs of Iraq from their deployments. This video contains graphic content. We need your support to help make Winter Soldier a success. Find out more about Winter Soldier.
WINTER SOLDIER
a poem by thepoetryman
Immense shining chariots thundered across the heavens.
Ghostly hooves burst and collapsed the living homes
And the shock filled gasps of children could be heard...
...Years later a dole of doves is all that holds the world
And beneath the sand the shards of bone shift down
Making room for the next barren scratch of living’s cage.
Giant, fortified wheels of chain roll upon the streets now.
Death weary boots slog behind, eyes winked with caution,
Heavy loads of mourning strapped upon the back.
Such little gladness advances along this guarded pace
As something sinister skulks their heavy shadows
Moving in unison; each glance, each gun, each breath.
It stays upon them like a salutation from a viper’s kiss;
Throttling the lungs into a desperate breathing thing
That bribes the senses and kidnaps affection.
They cannot stay there knowing it surrounds them
And brings forth nothing worth killing for at their hands
Or dying for in their hearts.
Liberated mouths have turned downward with lips
That smell of death’s foul oppression.
Before the lurking beast might taste their dread
Or the fanged tempest descend with blinding dust
The winter soldier needs turn homeward;
Ahead of the treachery that smells of grief,
Ahead the echoes of a child’s gasp and mother’s plea.
Wounds may throb and ache and even heal,
...Death is not made that way.
© 2007 mrp/thepoetryman
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