Aged eyes unblinking in that still young face

Looking straight at you with never a trace

Of emotion or laughter, apparently unfeeling;

Eyes of a soul that'll be a long time healing

From all the things that he’s seen and done...

The many places fought over and won...

Then abandoned only to be fought for again;

So what if the cost was a few of his friends?

Or was it just about an entire platoon

That bled and died in that damned monsoon?

The weary days merged into soggy nights

Punctuated by murderous firefights,

And all the while his eyes slowly aged

As deep inside grew a smoldering rage

That might not erupt for years and years

Or perhaps only turn into bitter tears

That try to wash away aching thoughts -

Piercing memories of harsh battles fought -

Memories drowsing deep within his brain

Waiting to be roused by the sound of rain.

Did the years ever soften those frigid eyes?

Or did they turn inward toward the cries

Of brothers who fell while mourning skies wept

And death came quietly or noisily leapt

Through chaos and fury to bear away

Fallen comrades from the bloody fray?

I hope one day those jaded eyes close

In dreamless sleep and peaceful repose

As vivid memories slowly fade and dim,

Allowing those eyes to smile once again.