by Alice ShapiroSeven hundred soldiers and milk at dawn
Night vision like the cat coordinating a kill
Kick down the door, captives, silent Samarra
Men with masks, we sit staring at war
How many times, how many men living will
Sign off on missions, fifty accomplished and progress?
Nothing standing in my way, it is all included
With prayers in every stitch, with newborn calves
Silver trash-cans, burgundy leaps out at comfort
Taking clothes to the tailor, silk and brocade
Transferred to the psychiatric ward men complain,
"Don't worry about the violent cases." God saves.
Alice Shapiro has published poetry in several anthologies including a prizewinner in Poetry Connoisseur's Summernational. She has also had two plays produced and is winner of the Bill C. Davis Drama Award. Alice currently lives in a small town in Georgia.