Combat Snippets (revised)

With time on their hands
they wait in the jungle.

We fire day and night
to insure they die there.
*
The silent woman
holds her little child
on outstretched arms.

The convoy passes,
refusing to accept
her dead offering.
*
I’m on guard duty
high and uptight,

thinking this may be
my very last night.
*
Muzzle flashes.
Dull thuds.
B-52’s.
*
Incoming.
King is dead.
I’m going home.

1968