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By Mark I. Kirkmeyer || Poem Categories

Love the Man...
Accept the Uniform		 country as flag
"I love a man in uniform!"
Big mistake
Love the man
Accept the uniform

When you see a man in uniform
What do you see?
The heroic stories
... of chivalry
The glamour of the man
... at the press conference
Razor sharp creases
Baby face with deep eyes
Confident strength
The uniform does make the man

The uniform misleads
You don't see:
The mud
... from a distant jungle
The sand
... in the underwear
The blood
... from the friend
... that died in his arms
The skin
... from the friend
... that just vanished
The brown stain
... from the first fire fight
The yellow stain
... from the insertion

Can you live with:
The scars
Waking up
... in a puddle of sweat
Being hit by flailing arms
... fighting for his dream life
Days of silence
Nights alone
... as he sits vigil somewhere

Love the man
Accept the uniform.
By Mark I. Kirkmeyer
Copyright 2005
Listed November 28, 2012

About Author... Mark Kirkmeyer served as a Light Weapons/Medical Specialist in the U.S. Army (1983-88), the U.S. Army Reserve (1988-1992), and the California National Guard (1992-1995). He is Gulf War Veteran (1991) and served in Korea (1986-87).

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~~ Send your comments and/or use permission request to Mark I. Kirkmeyer ~~

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