6/1/2004

Today
the day of
the serpent
I slithered over
griddle hot ground
making my way
from
one embattled comrade
to the next
helping them
helping myself
get through
more
terrible moments
intact
the worst
we can recall
since
the last
great war
and while
we were
unscathed
when
the head count
was taken
at the end
of the day
a price
was paid
that can
easily be
denied.