wwhile bitching about what you lack.thatever they can from your hands,
they’ll take your ego, your pride,
bhere are other things than violence that break the spirit of a man,
wecame hardened and black.
hat was once a beating heart
eMvery line and groove.ay fingers traced
snd frayed with age.
dtretched across the shell
aiamond-patterned camouflage netting
t leather cradle fitted inside,
Go protect a soldier’s head,
Treen-painted steel
here was only the helmet:
He paid child support, bought my half-sister a car for her birthday, but I never knew. He never let anyone tell me, and no one did because they knew he'd be so angry.