Iraq Haiku Series II: American Soldier

here at this check point
i stop each car with raised gun
women and children

i can't speak the tongue
what the hell does this man want?
he's waving his arms

we get tips at night
of terrorist insurgents
take no prisoners!

we put hoods on them
to keep them quiet, i scream
shut up and listen!

stop i said stop stop!
but none of them understood
i had no options

second iraq deployment
where else would i go?
what else do i know?

you get used to it:
four thousand brothers have died
i must stop whining


go to Iraq Haiku Series III: Female Soldier here