Appointment In Samara

A true story

A few days ago, around Christmas, a young man was informed that his national guard unit was being sent back to Iraq for a second tour of duty - a second tour of Hell.

He didn't want to go. He refused to go. He got depressed -- despondent -- distraught.

He barricaded himself in his fathers house.

The police of the town surrounded the fathers house and demanded he come out. He stayed in his fathers house.

Tear gas went through the window.

He stayed inside.

Finally he stepped out onto his fathers porch. Dazed. Crazed, At the end of his mind. He raised a gun to a tormenter.

A policeman shot him dead on his fathers porch. In his own hometown. Not in Iraq. Not in Hell.

He'll be buried in his own hometown, not in a nameless plot in Arlington Cemetery. Maybe even under his favorite apple tree.

Words by Crazy Owl
January 2007