The 8″ battle scar
explains the retreat
in glorious, punctuated detail
so no apologies
or all apologies
for having been
absent from duty
absent from craft
absent from self
our tactical strategy
required split-second timing
a vanguard deployment
of the strongest self
armed and ready
for the battle
of chemical warfare
and severed skin,
of breaking bones
and hammered metals;
while the correspondent self
held the flank,
taking cryptic notes
to send by wire later,
when the haze cleared.
Poem ©2025, Jen Payne. If you like this poem, you’ll love my new book SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS, on sale now!
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