joseph jamison War Spit forrest mcdonald

War Spit

by forrest mcdonald

Teeth break away, soft marble chips grinded out by each other Losing the forever chromium Glow of youth stained vessels Teachers, students alike, white and black

Hanoi Jane shouting in red rebellion Hand-in-hand stomping with impatience for an end To the end that people are witnessing ages away Marching behind friendly lines, friendly fire inevitable all For the man dubbed Charlie

Draped in green as their prey, machines creep closer and closer Hidden in an early afternoon foliage War spit smeared over humid brow, jump from cover General Ping saw his last sunrise from a hole in the ground Through cracks in clay wrought bamboo mats covering his fox hole

Green Beret Macmiller saw his thirty fifth kill a few hours later Fleshy boot heels testified to the lives taken Ears swing from bracelets on the cold arms Rosary’s brought a sense of purpose Purpose that was expelled And shaped systematically, instinctively into the CAR 15 now slung over Each machines back`s

Zippos are pampered, engraved echoing spoken words like “Why me”

“I`ll be home soon mama,” with a fist clenched black