"Diary entry 11/07/09, location Iraq"

It seems a lifetime
since i've taken time out to write
my mind all a swirl
continuing my fight
so many of us
since then have gone home
numerous eternally
never more this earth to roam
i've been nicked a time or two
one bullet hit my thigh
went straight through

i've witnesses hundreds

of fatalities

i fear one will soon be me

off duty we play games

we laugh externally

but inside there are tears

for even rugged me

i look at my wife and kid's photo

everyday

and then get down on my knees to pray

FATHER, help us in this fight

bring the rest of us home

please, let our bodies and minds be right!

protect those at home, true

it seems we've had unexpected causalities

in the USA, too!

Author notes

11/07/09 Just thinking about the tragedies we've had over the last few days and I also had a good friend to commit suicide night before last. I am just feeling a little saddened.