NIGHT VISION

distant tracers
red leaping sparks
the night’s too brilliant
to be so dark

my rifle’s perfect
I lock & load
I don’t need orders
to know

the engine’s screaming
the treads are grinding
this sand to finer dust

I’m in position
I know the mission
but night vision
deceives us all

children gather
point at their mouths
I drop my rations
into the crowd

where is my husband
where is my son
how should I know
move along

3x strand of razor wire
reflecting in the sun

I’m in position
I know the mission
but night vision
deceives us all

I bash the handle
kick through the door
I shove your face
against your floor
I brace my knee
against your neck
I strip your hands
behind your back

I still say please
I even smile
but every smile’s
a disguise

I’m in position
I know the mission
night vision deceives us all

I’m too old
to be young
I’m too young to be old
I’m too far
to belong
I’m too stuck to drive on
I’m too here
to be gone
I’m too there
to be home