An American Death in Iraq

An American Death in Iraq
by Dr. Emory D. Jones

An IED explodes by the roadside near Baghdad--
In a flash of yellow and red
Another American soldier is down,
A huddled lump
of brown and sand camouflage;
His kevlar is no help
Against sharp shrapnel
To his face--
He sighs and dies.

For whom did he die?
Certainly not for Cindy Sheehan
And her crowd!

Maybe it is
For the little street urchin
He saw a minute before
Who reminded him
Of his son
At home?