1966

I cry for the Vietnamese people.
Their doom is sealed, I'm afraid.

My country's so scared,
we will cut them to bits
and pound their land to a pulp.

We bomb them and burn them
and gas them.

                        (It's for Freedom)

We burn their huts to the ground.

                        (It's to save them)

If we weary
there is always the bomb.

We send our young men over to
Kill them,
Purged of unpure thoughts
holy
of one mind and purpose they go

                         (Propaganda, censorship,
                        indoctrination, briefing,
                        court-martial, dishonorable
                        discharge, Jail, disgrace)

to do their duty.

Do not share any differing opinions.

                        (Mud Mail)

Be cheerful and bland and encouraging.

                        (Send them candy)

To die for your county's the greatest.

                        (Send them soap)

Cheer them up.

But if you want to know why
we are fighting,

                        (some doubts have crept into your mind)

Just ask these young men.

                        (they'll tell you, about Peace-niks,
                        draft card burners, Communists, mud,
                        insects, no sleep, booby traps,
                        can't trust any native)

Then you will know.

I weep for the Vietnamese people.
With friends like us
they don't need
any
          enemies.

© Edison S. Fisk, 2009. All rights reserved.