Ode to the Infantry

Ode to the Infantry 4-15-10

Step
Step
Left, Right, Left
Square shoulders
Atop
Corrupted vertebrae
Stacked rigid
One
Then the next
Extending upward
Supporting a pockmarked jawbone.
Solid core
Flexed
Under the thick heat
Misshapen dirty-green protection.
Steel zippers
Grind
Hardened brown calluses
Protrude from unbroken joints.
Black polished boots
Laced
With precision
Send impulses
Warning with each contact.
Dirt of war
Lodged
Under over-scrubbed fingernails.
Dust of bombs
Clung
To useless nose hairs.
Inhale
Memories.
Felt helmet
Pressing
Down on a stern brow
Shades thinning blue irises
Lacking electricity,
Searching;
His jawbone clenched and pockmarked,
Home.