The Universal Soldier Speaks At Last

I fought before
the painted ships
beneath the walls
of fabled Troy;
caught a bullet
in the blazing
summer heat
of Gettysburg;
drowned gurgling
in the gory mud
of the Somme;
jumped into
Normandy
and died
strung up
in the trees;
killed Charlie
again and again,
to no avail,
in a thousand
fire fights
from Saigon
to Da Nang.
I have always
done your
bloody bidding,
the red-stained
wet work
that keeps you
fat and safe.
I have always
answered
your call.
Always.
But my heart
will always
despise you
for making me
do it.
- mce