They play at toy soldiers
Expendable plastic
Cold painted metal
Cardboard cut outs

Men in their offices
With clean shaven faces
Crisp cotton shirts
No dirt on their boots

Go home to their families
Commute attend banquets
Talk strategy and efficacy
Safe on their lawns

While his dad lies in pain
And hers will not return
Their mothers receive medals
They call it bravery-award

Real men, real soldiers
Missed by their families
Empty beds, empty chairs

© annie marsh, 2007
   (all rights reserved)