I remember rockets...

I remember rockets…

I remember rockets

there is no red glare

tracer rounds flashing

yellow, white - hot red

into the black night air

the cool spring rains

of March 1968 –

an “old man” of twenty one

among mostly younger kids

fate falling to each his own

arriving on ships

by sea

or by jet via Saigon

most unknowing

the urgent answers

to the important questions

unasked

right or wrong.

We arrive

on our “tour”

so called –

for a year

some stay forever

others leave

free and clear –

many return home

in pieces

broken hearted

deserted by lovers

held dear.

Still others are crushed

by the lies,

the promises not kept

by those

that should be

waging these wars –

our politicians, so inept.

But they are never in country -

as their bullets are words

piercing our hearts through the back.
Their explosive devices are their fake smiles

and the laughter attacks

at bad jokes -

the well staged handshakes

blowing up in our

children’s innocent faces

with wars fought

and the bills adding up

from unpronounceable places.

And all this for what –

all this to promote the greedy few

staying in political office

with the well paid jobs

and the perks to support corporate profits.

So it seems to me – Marine

father, simple citizen that I am -

our wars are fought

in the wrong countries.

We veterans must tweak our sights

- on politics for the real fight.

Aim your well earned words

at those that

hide in the high tech jungles of Wall Street

and Washington -

we must put black under our eyes

again and enter into their dark

tunnels of terminals.

We must find them one my one

hiding behind ivy

league educations

and false reputations,

follow the bloody trail

of our brethren lost in combat

to the money they hoard.

This jungle trail is littered with dead

and scarred Marines

foreclosed homes, unemployed vets –

ghosts of the 100,000 suicides from Vietnam.

Prepare your streets for Iraq and Afghanistan

veterans. They will all speak.

Army, Air Force, Navy –

how many senators sons

or daughters serve

this country – let us count

the few and let them stand

and be recognized.

I remember rockets

landing in Chu Lai –

and I know this –

things must change

in America –

and veterans must be the change

they wish to see in this

new America – this prouder America

this ethical America

this people’s America.

That no man or woman

shall be sent to sudden

sacrifice of death or loss of limb

when not every man and woman must

serve.

When you send my son Mr. President

then you send your daughters – when

you vote for war in Iran, Mr. Senator, Mr.

Representative – then you send your son

or your daughter.

It is only then –

that the decision you make

is weighted equally – and has integrity,

but until then -

I shall turn my metaphoric sights

upon politics – upon politicians.

And one at a time – we shall review your records

with Veterans. I turn my sights

on bankers – on corporations

knowing that as long as your profit reigns supreme

and not our country, not our people

and not our highest ethical conduct – then

we veterans shall not support you.

We are fighting in the wrong countries -

we need be here at home.

at once in an ethical war with politicians and corporations

daily firefights of heated words and actions of discontent

- this is our country, we fought for it.

Veterans – we must fire our fifty caliber rounds

of truth – words aimed relentlessly and purposefully

our succinct words must pierce these corporate veils

“people are most important – not profits.”

White hot tracers, tracks of truth

must ring into the political jungle – leaves must fall.

Our words war is here in America

not in Iraq – not in Afghanistan

those are political wars – not people wars.

The people war is us – what are you doing

for veterans in America?

Veterans – what are we doing for ourselves?

I remember rockets

there is no red glare

only tracer rounds flashing

yellow, white - hot red

into the black night air.

Doug Claybourne –  Chu Lai – 1968-69 – Memorial Day – for Wayne Claybourne – 9th Marines WWII and A.B.Brudvig - Quang Tri 68-69.

Copyright © 2012. Doug Claybourne All Rights Reserved.