For Saray,  Vera, and all

The horses of war

having carried so many

through open fields

over trenches, through skulls

it hurts them more than us

for we have some reason why

however unconsequential

but the horse has nothing

just the whip, the cry

as life rushes by in wartime

in a drowse in peace

the officer’s horse

crops the grass at leisure 

Camels overhead

eating the fodder of Heaven

Remind your father his daughter

eases pain with loveliness

Kendall Merriam, 9/19/2019  At Togus VA Hospital

Rehabilatation ward with apologies to Sigfreid Sasoon