Comrade Darlington MIA

To me, you were never an MIA

I know exactly where you are

in your shallow red dirt grave

just outside the wire

where those Fire-Force guys

burned and buried you.

To me, you are never missing

I see you ever other night

or the next night, or the next

somewhere between the darkest hour

and the blackbird's morning call.

We never speak you and I,

you can't, you're already dead

with limbs setting grotesquely

and eyes wide open and clouding

while I pour my water bottle over

your blood stiffened pockets

and search for an identity.

Ah yes, I have it.

His name is Comrade Darlington.

©Mike Subritzky

May 04, 2002

MIA = Missing In Action