for Major Tim Williams
In 1919, history books tell
us, under Amanullah Kahn, the Third
Anglo-Afghan War began. Now we’ve heard
how a warlord of similar name fell
last November. And now how you, no way
to tell the future, went down from Shindand
to Zerco Valley, hope in heart, to say,
“Let us have peace here.” And how warlords’ hands
reached out in peace, exchanged Holy Korans,
silencing screams of death between the tribes.
And now you stand in green robe with gold strands,
gold medal over your heart, words inscribed
to honor your bringing peace, your blue eyes
looking somewhere. Perhaps home: the great prize.
Roger Armbrust
March 5, 2007
