Heroes & Martyrs
I wanted to join them
In that forgotten jungle
As they spoke
In pained voices
Of the battles
They had fought
That had reduced
Some men into mist
Other men into heroes
And the cowardly
Into cripples
I wanted
What they had
To provide
A framework
For my own
Confusion and pain
As I limped
Past the plaques
And memorials
Into the mist
Toward a forgotten
Liquor store
To remember
To forget
My war
David Burdett
11/6/2023
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