The last photograph I remember of him
Was taken not far from Dover in the June of 2022
He was wearing a light green shirt
With a darker green vest underneath
As normal he was wearing his aviator shades
The army jeep that was in the photograph
Belonged to a friend who was dining with us
Little did I know that only a few days later
He would go to war as he had a passion for war
Everything was black and white to him
There were bad guys and good guys
Bad countries and good countries
The bad guys died and the good guys survived
But he had a less defined side which I liked
He once was due to execute an enemy soldier
But refused as the poor man was reading Gogol
Whereas he had a bloody appetite in battle
And took few prisoners if any
He notes that if he was ever killed
That he should be buried face down
So that he might listen to the anger of the world
As he knew that God was terribly cross with him
My husband never tells me when intends to return
He just shows up unannounced at the sea facing door
Usually looking tired and in need of a fine meal
And then he retires to his study to write poetry
I have asked him to cease going to war
As one day his luck will abandon him
He promises that it will be a war and a day
Whatever that means his answer is deliberate
He is my hero my soulmate and my friend
But there are parts of him that are mysterious
These I choose not to explore for fear of the exposure
GI Jane
(2022)