Afghanistan

ideals to inspire soldiers when 9/11 spewing black clouds meant a complicated revenge defeat terrorists, take out bin Laden remake a country in democratic vestments golden good intentions that lose their way in an undertow of violence the bones of wartime, bullets of combat carnage Taliban insurgents hide and seek in Pakistan militants wait to impose their laws as a regime falls, unhinged by corruption unwilling to fire a shot swift capitulation like jaws snapping shut US departure, flawed dangles like severed wires refugees stampede flee the bondage of remaining evacuation - a spreading blood stain, chaotic Afghanistan intervention, no sound preconditions for success in an end game that had no ending? just more of the same? achievements of 20 years seep through outstretched hands like heated wars storms of desert sand that fixate on what cannot be changed Poem composed September 5/21 For Afghanistan Poetry Contest Sponsor: Kai Michael Neumann