The White School House
This is what I learn from John in the ops room
on the morning of my day off β that dismounted patrols,
attempting to clear Taliban from among the rock walls
and grapevines west of Kandahar City, have been ambushed
near a school house.
The Taliban take three lives. Then they take one more
when an RPG slams into the side of an armoured carrier
on its way to the fight.
Later that day I learn that they are now in the midst
of falling back. Us β not them. Itβs surreal
to be told of this. Taliban in their flip flops
causing our 21st century war machines
to run backwards. Back across the river,
is how John puts it, pushing pins into a map
somewhere south of Arghandab β To get us
the fuck out of there.