MY EYE’S IN EAST RASHID (BAGHDAD)

MY EYE’S IN EAST RASHID (BAGHDAD)

Oh, East Rashid city with palm trees laden over old sidewalks

and slouched with the presentation of the Iraqi people.

Depressed –

Muhallah’s empty of soul and spirit.

Poverty stricken –

Missing the firm hand of Saddam

as we toss soccer balls,

MRE’s, and bottled water

for their children’s morale.

Visions of red, white, and blue before their eyes;

For whatever its worth is to them.

Sunni and Shiite separated like Bloods and Crips on Crenshaw.

Pigeons are clapped when the American’s arrive.

They flap their wings to tell the neighborhood

That the U.S. is present.

Green Flags

Red Flags

Black Flags

Partition religion and safety;

Christian –

Muslim –

Women covered in their black dresses from head to toe

Their soul windows peek from their cloth cut peep holes

Reading signs that display vacancy.

No ones home –

Save us from ourselves.

Torn between American Flags worn on the right shoulder of American Soldier’s

And Al Queada Forces.

They want their neighborhoods back, but who will protect them from the villain?

They need a Vigilante for the people like V for Vendetta.

City Market open again –

Their malnourished cows graze through an abundance of trash and small patches of grass

In the midst of city street chaos.

Vehicle emissions smother the good air;

mixed with dust and sand.

Oil stained roads.

Their sheep’s are herded aside buses and donkey carts.

Rubble, ashes, and sewage from the great “shock and awe”

Paves the path where children’s bare feet tip toe through

Crushed concrete like egg shell’s as they travel to school.

This place is a tan blur awaiting a clearer picture.

American Soldier’s protect what they can;

Interpreters by their sides to overcome the

language barriers.

They care about their streets –

Invited for Chai and Cigarettes

as a local coalition is formed.

Soldier’s dressed in body armor like tactical Christmas tree’s,

Leaving indentations in already warn couches from the weight of their gear.

When they trust you, they tell you where the deep buried I.E.D’s are located.

We make friends for twelve months then we are replaced by new ones.

These green-suitor’s rotate so the trust is temporary

The rapport must be built again.