Roberta Pollerana

ELEPHANT GRASS

History still goes untold
On the mantel clocks; Of American time
Tick tock of years ago; North plateau
Those days not so long ago; Two klicks
I lived in spoliations of crimes

Still unknown to so many; too many
Those who’ve yet to know; four klicks
Once upon America’s mantel clocks

A Draft; A War
Jungle Green Swamped Deep In Vietnam
My World; A War
Feared A Dead Hero To My Loved Ones
Love And Peace Songs; Sung Back Home
VC Zulu Foxholes; Firecrackers And C-rats

Still I walked… Still and silent I killed…
Still I laid with leeches
Rock “N” Roll; No choice
War; Crimes… Are You My Judge?

Yes! I Cut Them Down
Even the one’s I didn’t see
Zippo Mission’s
It was them or me
God bless America my home; So free
I’m a lifer; Can you see?

Yes! You can call it occision
Love of God, country and life
Split second decisions; Made daily
Three tour’s in my Nam’

Sometimes when I close my eyes
Still I see; Palm fires and stars from my hooch
Friends Dog Tags; a wind chime
I loved them all…

It was us or them; Huey brought me home
To this day I’m still burying my bro’s
Agents are still killing us; Pink Purple White
Agents Blue Green Orange Orange II
War; Crimes… Are You My Judge?

Yes! You can call it occision
Ask; Dow Chem, Union Carbide, Diamond Shamrock
An unavoidable enemy; Invisible Herbicides

Would you have gone there for me?
I did it for you; America land of the free
Yes! You can call it occision
I call it; My Vietnam

©Copyright April 2005 by Roberta Pollerana

Romans 1:20: For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.

Submitted for the April 2005 IWVPA Club Theme Project, “Occision”