still in his boots

he couldn't shake

the war

out of him.

death, the wounded,

the insanity

of it all.

the fear.

he held it in his hands

forever.

his boots stayed

in the mud.

he never set the war

aside, it was always

around.

it was in his mouth,

in his eyes,

his ears.

in his sleep.

he took it with him

wherever he went, 

he couldn't put it down.