Don't die brother

Bombs over Iraq
Blasts on the roof
Children once had a future
Now stricken from their youth
Father left the family and went away
Do you remember my brother
That day

He went all packed and proud
Looking his mighty best
Sent off in celebrations
He wore his countries' vest
But he didn't return
Mother was sad
She cried from morning till evening
It drove you mad

All the letters he sent
Rewritten in ink
By the army
Who wrote what they think
And no amount of reading could suffice
The absence of fatherly advice

So don't die my brother
Don't you die on me
When that man beside you
Is shot through the head
Don't think it could have been
You instead
The country called for you
You had no choice
You were proud to serve
And so was I of you

And when you come back
Tell me all the things you'd seen
The things that traumatized you
Things buried deep within
I'll listen to your bloody battles
And wipe your tears
Listen to how that other man had fallen
How you had to lay waste a man's life
For name sake
And how his face still haunts your sleep

Don't die my brother
Don't give up with ease
Whether dusty or muddy
Come back home please
Shot in the leg
Or no leg at all
I'll be waiting brother
Waiting for your call

So till then don't die brother
No not at all
Come home safely
I don't want to write
your name on a stoned wall
I'd rather see you
Alive in loving memory
And in tears
So don't die brother
I'll be waiting here

K. M.