P.O.W.

A poem. "Do you feel my wartime sin?"

Tell me, darling, what do you see
When you close your eyes and picture me?
Do you see the monster I've become?
Or the man I used be?

Tell me, dear, what do you hear
When you think about my voice?
Do you hear a voice that causes fear?
Or the one you used to hold so near?

Tell me, beloved, what do you feel
When you envision my touch upon your skin?
Do you feel my wartime sin?
Or the loving embrace of what had been?

Tell me, sweet, what do you smell
When you imagine me close to you?
Do you smell the horrid stench of this God-damned cell?
Or the hometown sweetness of caramel?

Tell me, love, what do you taste
When you remember the burning passion of my kiss?
Do you taste my now blood-stained lips?
Or the eternal peace of our youthful bliss?