i'm not in the mood to argue

scything imagery
by Matt Freire

take a picture he said, it will last longer
but a death lasts forever
no waking from the taking
life's impounding souls
and the digital camera film rolls
and the moment is captured
turning disaster into fine art
turning war into a fun adventure
looking through the lens keeps your eyes
distance seeming forever away
but forever it'll stay
but that's ok sez i
and i raise my camera to the sky and snap
as souls i snatch
so these moments can pass
to those not around to grasp
and they can react how ignorant humans react
like masses in charge
way more chiefs than Indians dealing lives
way more soldiers than politicians that die
and i'm here content in my ways
not regretting a day
i'm here serving my purpose
participating yet mindful
not wasting but growing
an imagery showing
the nuances of war
the gradation of how it is
the shades of what lies within
and it turns me on just a little
ok some even a lot
even though some is just wrong
but it enlivens me
it fulfils me
click, snap
shutter released
manipulating light how i see fit
ethically aware
even where ethics are scarce
and when the shit gets real
my camera’s still there
and i capture the moment
because he said the moment will last longer
and freely, i'm not in the mood to argue


Photos: Field medic Cpl. James Daoust from 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, provides to a Afghan boy during air assault mission to search the Khost province of Afghanistan during Operation Champion Sword on Jul. 29, 2009. Operation Champion Sword is a joint operation involving Afghanistan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Forces focused on specific militant targets and safe havens within Sabari and Terezai Districts of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Matthew Freire / RELEASED )