4am

I hold my first cigarette,
cupped in my hand,

and the first haze of blue
crawls upon the moment
of morning,
... and it was so long ago.

...... Boys curled into the night

asleep

dreaming of home.

So young they are.

like

my puppies,

my kittens,

my arms,
... strong against the cruelty
of my Father's hands.

Armed!
Once again
and forever,

I go forth...

... loving the danger of War.

Wanting nothing more.

©Copyright January 30, 2005 by Lou J. Klaiber