Graduating with Honors

So many years in the desert.
So many lives lost.
Do you know why?
For pride?
For ego?

So we can say we won?
The desert is only sand.
There is nothing to defend.
Trucks blown up
By IEDs covered up
Each night after the roads are cleared.

Body parts come back.
I think your son is in there.
We can’t be sure
For there were three men cured
Of the war inflicted.

Chinese mortars strapped
Together dotting the map.
Caskets draped in the flag.
For what he fought we do not know.
He wanted an education.
Today he graduates with honors.