FAR FROM FALUJAH

Smoke break in the psyche ward
Smoke disappears
Behind bars
Puddles collecting

Pajamas
Defining institutions
Closing a mind
Relaxing
With a load off
Three meals a day
Sleeping
Until they call your name

Slippers sliding
Like tires on black ice
Suicide attempts are normal
Like alcoholism

And skin to bone
Scars inside
Try to smile

Add another blanket

Celebrating discharges
The last of
This military life
Seen as failure

They get theirs
I get meds

At ease mind
With my own stripe
Far from Falujah
And faulty flack vest
A terrorized body
Covering faces
That haunt
The American family