Marines

Marines 12/11/11

Three men and one woman

Who had seen combat

In Iraq and Afghanistan.

Shared their stories.

No longer active, each had been marked

By the war. None entirely unfavorably.

Charley, a tall young man, recalled

“Eliminating a threat” and saving his buddies.

Roberta is now working on her doctorate.

Mom was not happy with her Marine enlistment.

It was before 9/11 and getting an expensive education

Could happen under the “G.I. BILL”

Peter was the last to leave the war,

In 2009, and still in one piece,

Having served the last of his eight years.

He hoped for understanding from fellow soldiers.

Cliff, probably high strung before the war,

Was not being helped 

By his presence upon the stage.

Words tripped over themselves in his need to make contact.

Yes, they had experienced 

Disorientation when Iraq 

Failed to prove itself an imminent threat,

To the United States.

Sent to fight a dictator 

They stayed to battle 

Citizens who did not want Americans in their country,

And assist those who would accept help.

It was the buddies who left in tact,

And those who were now a memory

That meant almost everything

To these returning warriors.