Memorial Day, 2009

In search of a water-filled truth

I was the soldier supreme
rough and ready
with the sleeves of my sunburned arms
carrying an appropriate tattoo
and short filtered smokes
kill or be killed
this desert is hot
anything that moves at night is enemy
fire in the hole
doesn't that child have a gun
what an empty canteen in search of cold water
don't worry about my buddies around
the campfire cry
it only takes one to kill you
dude
let no man beware
charge charge of
the light marine brigade
Kipling was no veteran
let other bewares
the price of victory is a politicians soul
and a sentry's nightmare
plus the head of a little boy
forever lost.

Copyright, William "Wild Bill" Taylor,
June, 2004