To Those Who Fought

by Val Haynes


Brothers,
Where there is derision
No ribbons, no wreaths, no rewards
No red, white and blue confetti, no medals of honor—
Stand up
Stand up against the war mongers of the world
Who are greedy, self-congratulatory and self-made
In history books.

It’s been decades
Of anguish, Agent Orange, lost limbs, lost children and joblessness
There have been long lines to stand in
Forms to fill out, flatten and pile. A flattening and piling up
On street corners and stoops.

But there remains huge power in your breath between
The flattened piles
Small strengths
The scent of forgiveness


And nothing needed to prove with a gun.