War Torn Heart

I come home from
war
to find a
burnt-out
shell
that used
to be my
home.

A teddy bear
burnt
to a crisp,
My wife's
charred form
vainly protecting
my blackened
son.

This is how I am
repaid for doing
my duty
to my
country.

I now place
myself in
self imposed
Exile.

Johnathon Reinier 7/15/99