Ravages of brutal battles fought

now manifest on visage pale.

Furrowed brow as plowed field,

Sunken cheeks like craters

left by Exocet missile

~~~

Wounds deeply etched

in turbulent memory,

lacerations in fragile mind,

as blood-red ribbons blown

by unrelenting breeze

~~~

Self-image shattered into

a million fragments, by

heartless words and deeds,

as a mirror trampled

beneath jack-boots

~~~

Jagged shards which

endlessly pierce through

levels of consciousness

dispensing their pain

at a moments notice

~~~

Marks now bravely worn

with supreme dignity.

In magnificent resilience

pressing ever onward

towards a brighter day.