The Combat Medic

A battlefield’s a lonely place, each one a fox before the hounds,

sole target of the hunt. Each one a hound, both stalked and stalking.

Each ammo flash, each scream, each moan belongs to all–the air alive

with sound and blood and body parts. A no man’s land of violence.

A bullet finds its home. A fox brought down, a hunter stilled,

alone in pain and shadow, bloody mud and sand, shrouded in mist

and memory. The hunt recedes to stalk another fox.

A healer moves amidst the carnage, seeking out the fallen.

Sure and steady hands find a pulse, probe to stop the life force flowing out.

The touch: “You’re not alone. I’ve found you. We’re here together, you and I.”

Two soldiers finding healing in the chaos.

---

The Combat Medic memorial statue is at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.