These poems are selected from Timothy Tarkelly’s book, The Raucous Shouting of Stripes.

AWOL

September,
you came too slow
and brought with you a target.
Sleep,
you left me
and I looked everywhere.

I turned barracks dregs
into clinical halls
and found you.

Blood,
you boiled
and left me breathless.
Brothers,
you ignored me
and slept.

Accusations unearned,
your minds were spoiled
and hurt me.

Family,
you were distant
and did not see.
Friends,
you were busy
and forgot.

I wanted to speak
my tale of the south,
but my calls remained unanswered.

Home,
you lead me
and I followed.
Coward,
you clothed me
and I was warm.

I was gone, I was free,
liberated, at home.
I was absent.

AIT THOUGHTS #3

I remember my teachers,
and everyone else I guess,
harping about defense
and how we spend too much money
on druggies and medical research
for illegal children and abortion-hungry
peddlers of liberal catch phrases.

Me? I ate lobster ever Friday
at DFAC #4.