Soldier At My Door by Dan Holt

For Matt Borczon

 

My doorbell rings
and
there is a soldier at my door
He’s carrying
a crutch
instead of
a gun
Looking at him
you can just tell
he still feels
the foot
he no longer has
I want
to speak to him
to thank him
for his service
to ask him
How I can help?
But I’m not sure
he can see me
through the fog of ghosts
that live behind his eyes
I’m not sure
he can hear me
through the screams
of war ringing in his head