Sacrificial Lambs to the Slaughter.

Sacrificial lambs to the slaughter

Heroes don't always hold you tight 
and kiss away the tears, 
you simply get a folded flag, 
in a triangular shape to treasure, 
and bury your face in 
after it is lifted off the coffin, 
you get a shock when 
twenty-one gunshots salute him, 
as if the one that killed him 
was not enough, 
you get a handful of medals,
but the handful of flesh 
when he held your hand 
is gone soon to bones, 
you get sincerest apologies 
for your loss, but they 
offer nothing to fill the hole 
in your life except dirt and ceremonies, 
you get a paltry amount of insurance money,
and the respect of all for your sacrifices 
when all you really wanted was him 
back in your arms 
I have met with many mothers 
as well as many wives 
and girlfriends of men 
who have not come home, 
or came home horizontal,
with no horizons left in their lives
and there are no words 
even for a poet to replace 
the agony of silent screaming souls
and the emptiness of love lost to hate
and useless wasted wars 
by fools who seek glory in flesh
sacrificial lambs to the slaughter
bOth the husbands and fathers
both the sons and the daughters
turned to dust for lost causes
years later still grieved for
and nothing to ease the remnants
that remain remains!