Dodging A Bullet Poem by Susan Lacovara

In the war of words
You were a smart soldier
Slipping through the dark of night
With camouflaged intentions
Of leaving me on the front line
While you retreated to the safety
Of the barracks of your before and after

I, sent back, stateside
From your landmine love
Wounded and weary
Deserving of a medal, a badge of honor
For holding my ground amidst the raging battle
Crippled by your continued 'Special Ops' mission
To make me the enemy

Those who welcomed me home
Say I have dodged a bullet
But I feel riddled with holes
Part of me amputated
And having been exposed to the fallout
Of your chemical warfare weapon of disregard
And dishonorable dismissal
Wonder why I ever enlisted
In the boot camp of your affection