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