On NPR they’re asking questions: if Iraq, really, is
like VietNam and not like VietNam; if Rumsfeld
really, was like McNamara – and not. I’m getting
angry, thinking: Why don’t you know these answers?
It’s so obvious: Our young people learning to kill
(again), being blown up and mowed down (again)
blowing up and mowing down other people, while
their parents back home slide into shock and denial
not awe. They’re going far away to be awkward
in pants that don’t fit right, made in colors chosen
to match the ground so many will fall down on.
And they’ll soon see, soon understand (not long
after they move in): the people don’t like them
don’t trust welcome want them there. They will
know, not long after they get there, the people
they’ve come to save liberate educate release, really
truly actually want them to go away, go back home
in the dawn’s early light, by which they’ve pledged
allegiance to broad stripes, bright stars and a republic
(one nation) for which they stand, each perilous night.
It’s obvious. People who stand their ground, there
where the ground is the color of this war’s uniforms
don’t think our young people have brought them
an order of democracy-to-go, like Coke and pizza.
People there realize (again) that for George this war
is personal (oh, not like he’s fighting dying killing
not like his children are over there, two of the ones
fighting dying killing, wearing pants the color of sand:
not that kind of personal, no). They know for him it’s
like it was for Lyndon (though George is dumb, empty
of that other Texan’s agony): He wants to win, what
He says goes, He’s sticking to His guns. Actually, he’s
sticking to their guns, but still. People in South Africa
know this, and in Australia too. People know in Egypt
Argentina, Italy, India, Laos. You and I know this.
Why don’t people on NPR know this? They just keep
asking the same questions – even though it’s obvious.

First published in Bridges, Fall 2007