Cadet

I walked through a museum today
dedicated to the youth
who throw their flesh
into the open maw of war.

The I passed a group
running in matching shirts
strengthening muscle
bone
and heart
So they could
spill,
break,
and lose it all.

I still wonder what the point is.

The First Hippie

Saint Francis of Assisi
-and he was a saint-
traveled on the fifth crusade
as the only true Christian
and did more to make the land holy
than the blood of a thousand Turks.

And brought more to bring peace
covered in sores
brought on a stretcher
than an army of ruddy youth
on horseback.

Warrior

Fierce,
Unconquerable,
Are the eyes of youth.

A thousand rejections
only spring desire
A million disappointments
only breed flame

Left bleeding on a battlefield
give me a child warrior
over a legion of mercenary

For the soldier fights with grit and pride
but the child fights with hope.