Ranger Dominance

Woken from short sleep
before dawn, drowsy
time for knock and searches
compulsory co-operation

Didn’t know what to say
so I said
Roger that Sir!

Waking women
invading homes
rooftop snipers aim: neck, thigh
under threat, return fire

Didn’t know what to say
so I said
Roger that Sir!

We hear an apache cannon
in the distance – go see
engaging eight men, armed
with a telephoto lens

Didn’t know what to say
so I said
Roger that Sir!

Shit, piss, blood in the heat
the stink of fear and death
the sound of crying
Let’s get out of here

Didn’t know what to say
so I said
Roger that Sir!

Child’s face studded with glass
I pick her up─my daughter─
the boy, did he move?
Quit being a pussy

Didn’t know what to say
so I said
Roger that Sir!

Their blood stains my uniform
I try to clean it
You could be charged
with malingering

Didn’t know what to say
so I said
Roger that Sir!