Back from Iraq 4/04
my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq
no ticker-tape parade
no welcome home celebration
no media coverage
“Good Morning, America” doesn’t spoil breakfast
with the newscast
no one should see the caskets
being unloaded from the plane
the 23 flag-draped caskets
they do show pictures of prisoner abuse this day
in Guantanamo Bay as yesterday
and the day before
my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq
the first time my son came home was with fanfare
every television channel
“Mission Accomplished,” resounded the banner
behind our president
on the aircraft carrier
thumbs up
dressed as a genuine military man
my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq
the stock market reports
an upward surge in Halliburton this day
the television airs a commercial
approved by John Kerry
condemning jobs sent to other nations
not mentioning Mexico
nor his wife of Heinz fame
or the 23 flag-draped coffins
my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq
my son is in the plane
the plane with the 23 flag-draped caskets
he serves as navigator on the flight crew
my son just got back from his second tour in Iraq
23 other sons just got back
from their tours in Iraq
they won’t have to return
but my son most certainly will
Carl “Papa” Palmer hails from Old Mill Road in Ridgeway, Virginia and lives in University Place, Washington. He is retired from the military and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), enjoying life as “Papa” to his grand descendants and being a Franciscan Hospice volunteer. PAPA’s MOTTO is Long Weekends Forever!
ISSUED 