Poetry and War
PENTAGON ORDERS DEAD OFFICERS TO REPORT FOR DUTY
The U.S. army said Friday it would apologize to the families of about 75 officers killed in action who were mistakenly sent letters urging them to return to active duty. --January 5, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP)
Will the dead please rise and raise
your right hands. Will the dead please
swear to uphold that hand for as long
as it takes. Will the dead please
reassemble your bones, replace
your heads, return your hearts, recant
your screams. Will the dead please
salute the flag flapping like tattooed skin
ripped from the body politic. Will the dead
please step onto the helicopters and into
the bodies of soldiers about to become you.
Give the living your history, your wisdom,
your sleepless eternities, your missteps
only they can make right, remind them
nightly to go on living. Will the dead
please buckle up and bring them home.
by Dorianne Laux
The U.S. army said Friday it would apologize to the families of about 75 officers killed in action who were mistakenly sent letters urging them to return to active duty. --January 5, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP)
Will the dead please rise and raise
your right hands. Will the dead please
swear to uphold that hand for as long
as it takes. Will the dead please
reassemble your bones, replace
your heads, return your hearts, recant
your screams. Will the dead please
salute the flag flapping like tattooed skin
ripped from the body politic. Will the dead
please step onto the helicopters and into
the bodies of soldiers about to become you.
Give the living your history, your wisdom,
your sleepless eternities, your missteps
only they can make right, remind them
nightly to go on living. Will the dead
please buckle up and bring them home.
by Dorianne Laux