—Jeremiah Chap. 1, v. 14

Cedar tree. Starfish. Beautiful
eyes. Over and over, over

the radio, an almost loving
refrain. Full alert transmitted

on waves and the reserves
pack up, put on hold, leave

the familiar to its own
devices. When threat descends

from the north, no ritual
remains, not fasting, not

feasting. Now terror and resolve
rub shoulders. Small ruptures

of the heart. Some will return
minus limbs. Others

to leave ciphers of blood
writ on volcanic rock.

And the heat. Always
the heat, severe and blinding.

Cedar ...star ...beautiful...
Infantry. Tanks. Intelligence.