Back from Iraq 4/04

By Carl Palmer



my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq



no ticker-tape parade

no welcome home celebration

no media coverage



“Good Morning, America” doesn’t spoil breakfast

with the newscast

no one should see the caskets

being unloaded from the plane

the 23 flag draped caskets



they do show pictures of prisoner abuse this day

in Guantanamo Bay as yesterday

and the day before



my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq



the first time my son came home was with fanfare

every television channel

“Mission Accomplished,” resounded the banner

behind our president

on the aircraft carrier

thumbs up

dressed as a genuine military man



my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq



the stock market reports

an upward surge in Halliburton this day

the television airs a commercial

approved by John Kerry

condemning jobs sent to other nations

not mentioning Mexico

nor his wife of Heinz fame

or the 23 flag draped coffins



my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq



my son is in the plane

the plane with the 23 flag draped caskets

he serves as navigator on the flight crew



my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq



23 other sons just got back

from their tours in Iraq

they won’t have to return

but my son most certainly will