Student Publishing Program ::

Jonathan V.

War

The soldier barely escapes to the car, running from the incoming shower of shrapnel,
As a teenager thoughtlessly escapes to his room in angst, running away from a hail of insults from his parents.

He hides and takes cover as he hears the enemy’s intense footsteps on the asphalt,
As a dog hides with ease from his abusive owner’s quick and loud footsteps with ease in the kitchen.

The soldier desperately struggles to radio for backup out in the dusty streets of Iraq,
As a woman thinks she struggles to charge her cell phone with her thick glasses.

He frantically yells to his friend that their support is dead,
As a child lazily yells for her mother to bring her a snack.

Both soldiers take cover behind a house full of bullet holes fearing for their lives,
As a boy takes cover behind the cardboard box while playing hide and seek, fearing to be found.

The soldier threw a grenade into the clear blue sky, hoping it will distract the enemy,
As a troublemaker throws a rock at a window, hoping it will cause trouble.

The soldier direly flees from the battlefield as he sees 12 hostiles appear in his view,
As children gleefully flee from the school on the last day.

He returns to base, exhausted, hoping for a warm edible meal, after a long day,
As a college student casually returns home for break, hoping for a home-cooked feast.

[BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS, CLASS OF 2008 EDITION]