Ashes scattered

Amongst their remains

Dark and impersonal

Blood red they are stained.

I walk through

The paths once there.

Hearing their screams

Their pain I can't bear.

Reaching out

Pleading for help they need.

Watching a grown man cry

And a new born bleed.

What did they do

To deserve such pain?

When we did this to them

What did we gain?

So many lives lost

Some here, some from there.

Some were savable 

Some were far beyond repair.

I walk where

Once they did stand.

I need an answer

That I demand.

Look at this face

Eyes blue and scared.

To loose her family

Was she prepared?

An elderly woman

Blood covered and awake,

She survived this event

But her husband, in her arms, won't wake.

They cry out

Pleading for me to stop the pain.

From these people's devastation

What did we gain?

Is this world

A safer place

With one less

Child's innocent face?

To take it back

Is not in my hands.

I cannot heal these people

Or change the land.

I can't heal the wounds

Or save the rest

But to make you see

I'll do my best.

Nichole was in the Air Force Reserves. She was proud to wear the uniform. She graduated as an Honor Graduate from boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base, in Texas. To say I was so proud of her when I saw her marching in formation at graduation, would be an understatement. My baby girl stood tall and proud of her accomplishment as she was handed her award for being Honor Grad.

She showed us around base with such pride and dignity. We talked about the moments that she wasn't sure she could do it. She would write home talking about how hard it was, I would tell her she was a strong woman and she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. I told her I had faith in her abilities and so should she. She told me, "You were right Momma, I did it!"

While she never saw actual combat, she was so scared of the possibility. She would ask me, "Momma what if I can't shoot someone?" I told her she had to do what ever it took to keep herself and her fellow soldiers safe. Thank God she never saw combat!

She had mixed feelings, she was proud to serve her country; but she felt wars were senseless. I think this poem was a reflection of what she thought she might have seen and felt should she had ever had to fight. If you enjoyed reading this poem, please take a moment to vote.