you were not ready

But they issued the shovel and the rifle and you dug

you were not ready

But to watch you sitting there between the sandbags

you were not ready

But what did they expect

you were not ready

But what did they really think a sheet of metal could prevent

you were not ready

But I sat rolling little ears of pasta off my thumb like helmets

you were not ready

But it was not a table of fallen men

you were not ready

But my hand registered fatigue

you were not ready

But the men in fatigues were tired of sleeping in shifts

you were not ready

But you snuck into town and dialed home until you wrote your fingers were tired

you were not ready

But the code for Shiraz was down

you were not ready

But all of Shiraz was down

you were not ready

But the sheet lightning above the Ferris wheel of rusted bolts

you were not ready

But I am sure they are alright you wrote Well to reassure yourself

you were not ready

But the wind like an old mouth shaking the unnamed evergreen outside

my window

you were not ready

But what I mean is I'd like very much to talk a bit

Hello