How gone... by MSTMV de Arredondo

Do you know that this country is at war yet?
Have your nerves been torn to shreds
By the ticking time of wonder
Of another soldier dead?

Have you shook the hand
Of a young G.I.
Who no longer walks this earth
Who no longer is alive?

As a nation we thank the “volunteers”
For sacrificing for the country
Yet these kids signed up because
The uniform is a means to money.

To finance a higher education
To get a loan to buy a house
Someday to have a descent job
To feed some kids and love a spouse.

Recruiters know their names
Before they have a chance to meet
They know where they each live,
And that at times there is not much to eat.

I knew a boy who had no problems
Wearing hand-me-downs
He didn’t mind letting his brothers get new clothes
He did the best he could to set an example


He traveled to the world’s other side
He ate sand and shat wherever he must
He treated gun shot wounds on his brethren and
In the USA he laid his trust.  

Yet, on his dog tags he went from Catholic to nothing
At 18, the cynic was alive.
Which moment confirmed all his doubts
That God would protect him from demise?  

His helmut was US-made,
and pierced by sniper fire.
Led to an early grave
Where all his dreams did expire.
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HOW GONE.....