Afghans Grieve

Gunfire echoed in the darkness.

A night raid?
The safest course—
stay quiet, remain indoors.
But home was no haven.
The gunman found them.

Chanted prayers, muffled sobbing,

fills the air. Afghan villagers
were killed during a shooting
rampage by a lone American soldier.
 

The attacker approached on foot.

He broke into three homes,
shooting some victims point blank,
cutting down others
as they sought to flee.

A day given over to grieving,

and no small measure of anger,
but no furious riots,
no violent demonstrations.

The Taliban, meanwhile, vowed revenge.

Another reason to withdraw U.S. forces.

© 2012 Catherine Giordano

This poem says it all.  I have nothing to add.