by Robert Farmer
There's bottled water and MRE's
instead of Gunga Din.
But know you that no one
has ever left there in victory.
Ask Alexander or Tamberlane
about the Hindu Kush.
You've hardened up since my hitch.
Professionals in for the long tour
bunkered down on ridgelines
north of the Khyber Pass,
holding a valley to some end
you hope someone knows.
A mountain dawn rises
through deodar
and timeless village sounds
to another morning's patrol,
laughter mixed with the clatter of preparation
for passage through chaos.
Today death arrives before its sound,
but still dealt by ancient tribes.
Know that you've arrived
at the summit of war
in the Korengal.
Robert Farmer is a retired forester who served his Second Lieutenancy with the 503rd long ago. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
______________________________________________________