acceptable losses

unable to fend off drones

bombs, missiles sent to destroy

an ‘enemy’ whose major offense

is swearing under his breath

or snapping at his wife when tired

from long daily labor

yet he belongs to a group deemed

hostile by policies of other men

declaring war while crowded safe

in luxury bomb shelters

who is held accountable for decisions

made in the name of others

that bring them to their deaths

as though they had say in the terror

that plunges their families

and themselves into pain.

doe watching sunrise with me

doe watching sunrise with me

elder doe watching sunrise with me

she shuffled into the yard, sat heavily

then curled and sank to lie, head up

looking east over the valley floor

content to keep vigil on the pale

gold seeping between purple blue

clouds, resting

welcome in as near sanctuary

as i can afford her