that is Lieutenant Goldfish he runs Steampunk City
I thought it was a lie, my cousin can be whimsically witty
L.G. as they call him swam by and did not give us a nod.
He’s aloof, disconnected, a loner, quite odd.
Why is he the leader of the city I asked my cousin.
Because the other fish are terrified of him by the dozen.
I thought that was a ridiculous way to vote in a leader today
Then I realized it’s the way of the crazies in the US of A.
it was third platoon’s turn to leave
the safety of the wire
our platoon’s mission
search and destroy
the air was like a sauna with no relief
the jungle closed in on us
blocked out the sun
our packs weighed on us
as we humped twenty klicks
without a break
our jungle fatigues
hung heavy on us
failed to wick sweat away
from our bodies
we felt as though a
salty monsoon had soaked us
Johnson, on point, was
out in front probing
for the enemy
we all hoped the day
would end peacefully
we spread out
to lesson our chances
of mass casualties
we reached the village
mid afternoon
it was deserted
even the water buffalo was gone
we ripped up the floors
in each hootch looking for
the hidden enemy-but found none
when we finished searching
we pulled our Zippos from
our pockets and lit
the dry straw that served as
a roof on each one
and watched as the hootches roared up
in flames like a Roman candle on July 4
our lieutenant signaled for us to
take a break and we sat among
the debris some smoking
cigarettes others catching some zees
no one was
going home in a body bag
our day was a success
Beyond the Wire
another day in country
we shuffled out beyond the wire
our platoon’s mission
search and destroy
the air was hot and humid
like a sauna with no relief
the jungle closed in on us
wrapping us in a green cloak
blocking out the sun
Johnson, on point, was
out in front probing
for the enemy
hoping the day
would end peacefully
we spread out
lessoning our chances
of becoming an easy target
our heavy packs weighed on us
as we humped twenty klicks
without a break
our jungle fatigues
failed to wick sweat away
from our bodies leaving
us feeling as though
a monsoon had soaked us
we reached the village
and began searching each hootch carefully
ripping up flooring looking
for the hidden enemy
when we had finished searching
we pulled our Zippos from
our pockets and lit
the dry straw that served as
the roof on each one
and watched as each one roared up
in flames like a Roman candle on July 4
our lieutenant signaled for us to
take a break and we sat among
the debris some smoking
cigarettes others smoking reefer
our day was a success
no one was
going home in a body bag
It was the Eighties
And among the ladies
You stood out
Hey LT it's not a dodge
Over my heart there was camouflage
Still you stood out
Your bars of silver
Your beauty a killer
That shot my heart down
The band tried, you sang
"Still Loving You" a birth pang
Tomorrow I'm leaving town
Your beauty gave me a command
At attention you made me stand
A salute from Cpl. Wiggle
Love was ever here and far
As I started to play air guitar
It made you giggle
Now the Eighties a forty year aftermath
In Hannover Germany, intersections path
I wonder where you are today
What's sad about this matter
It was just a moment soon to scatter
You never knew your beauty effected me this way
Colonel loomed large with his lieutenant
solid chunk of life kisses death intimately
blue aura of woody smoke rise
flashing across mental screens wise
Solid chunk of life kisses death intimately
an instant adjusting lens and memory
flashing across mental screens wise
meeting with Ministers of State dies
An instant adjusting lens and memory
arriving long before appointed time
meeting with Ministers of State dies
waiting equals patience eating pies
The catching up began steady
tiny portals of Light descended
beams directed heavy bags ready
cigarettes and gaffes lit discomfort
Tiny portals of Light descended
blue aura of woody smoke rise
cigarettes and gaffes lit discomfort
Colonel loomed large with his lieutenant
The L. T. was green,
And equally mean,
Full of swagger and bluster,
And all the authority he could muster.
Bold in command,
This brash little man,
Who strode all around
Like he owned the damn ground--
Barking orders and spittle,
Never regarding how little
Regard in which he was held.
It was the midnight shift,
And L. T. in a tiff,
Cause his coffee had run out.
The L. T. with a shout,
Demanded a fresh pot be made--
No matter if the deployment was delayed.
In stepped the Sergeant broad and tall,
Striding to the Lieutenant who suddenly seemed small.
“The troops have a duty to move this line.
Your coffee can wait--this ain’t the time.
“And never raise your voice to one of mine.”
The Sergeant stared a moment then turned on a dime,
And made himself a cup of joe taking his sweet ass time
Mama always said...Son, mind that bump
The road is wide and the load we dump
So, Mama would dare me
But, fear would impair me
I'm Petrified Forest...Forest Gump!
In Vietnam, Lieutenant Dan thunk...
Me and Bubba should just share a bunk
But, the bunk was loaded
And Bubba exploded
I'm Chunks in the Forest...Forest Gunk!
24 Dr Peppers
One day I started running and my legs fell off.
I was in the army, and I had to clean the floor with a toothbrush.
It started raining sideways.
Then a bullet jumped up and bit me that day.
Jenny threw her shoe at her old house.
I guess she ran out of rocks.
I was with Jenny, and I became the minute man.
That’s all I’m going to say about that.
I had 24 Dr. Peppers, and I had to pee.
My mom made some strange noises because she cared about my school grades.
Me and Jenny are like peas and carrots.
Jenny played a guitar naked, and I saw her butt.
For a while I owned a shrimp boat.
When I first met Lieutenant Dan, he was holding a roll of toilet paper.
I like playing ping pong in the spring.
One day I gave Lieutenant Dan some ice cream.
Jenny, is he smart like me?
No Forest. He is dumb as a coconut tree.
You never know what you're going to get in a box of chocolates.
All just put my hands in my pocket.
Me and Lt. Dan are best friends.
I like dancing to Sweet Home Alabama.
I can’t forget about Bu Bu.
Another friend of mine who likes shrimp gumbo.
Me Lt. Dan and Bu Bu are the three amigos.
Jenny will always be my hero.
Tell me that story again,
The tale of love and self-sabotage,
Of doubt and valour,
Of hearts and corruption,
Where the days are adventure and the nights are a dream,
The danger is adrenaline and the work is never done,
We stand together on the brightest days,
On the coldest nights,
On your side I stood, though times changed
Tell me those words again,
The words of comfort and safety
Of love and security
Of wrong but it feels so right
We shouldn’t be but we are,
It’s not allowed but we still do,
We could be killed for such an uncontrollable thing,
But we aren’t afraid, not anymore
Tell me that story again,
The tale of love and loss,
Of war and duty,
Of valour and comfort
I stand in your office, hours after dark
I sit in your embrace, as the air raid sirens sing
In a blanket of green and greatness
I’m not allowed to have you but whilst no one’s watching, I will give you my heart…
BRONX SOLDIER ( this is a true story )
He was a soldier - Bronx born and raised and learned the streets at an early age .helping other people where ever he went- knowing about sacrifices and what it meant .
Sharing lunches with the homeless on the streets and speaking with the cops on their beat .
He volunteer for the draft and to Vietnam he went. He became a combat veteran who learned the ropes , teaching recruits and giving them hope .
They had a hill that they had to take , if the V.C. got it it would be too late .
They took the hill as the enemy came and cut off their supply train .
With their ammunition running low " the lieutenant screamed we've got to go " .
He was wounded in the battle that ensued and told his men to leave down the other side as he loaded up the machine gun and started to fire and was killed saving his men .
His name is on the Vietnam wall - for he did his duty and answered the call .
( this is in his honor and I won't forget )
(C) poetlou 031125
yellow tape
not a good sign
I should run screaming the other way
some macabre force moves me toward it
my blood turns to ice
when I see the chalk outline
not of a grown up
but rather of a child
I will listen to my inner voice next time
and run screaming into the other direction
my lieutenant asks me “are you okay, sergeant?"
I must find a different job
My skin is too soft for this one.
I nod, before I wretch.
Booted
The boss was a real ing wanker who abused his position
Now he’s got the golden boot and is no longer there
But he goes to the company cark park to see his lieutenant
Who is just the same as him an equal seller more arrogant!
The original boss was quite a nice guy not a bastard
It was his elite selling unit he set up that stunk of elitism
You’re not ing fighter pilots so why the fake Godliness
It all stinks of bull and **** licking all the way
Tong that far up the butt it comes outa their damn mouth
Who will fill the original boss’ boots will it be his lieutenant?
Who went to the same skool and was trained the same way
Instructions and orders are sent via messenger do this and that
Keep at it run the account my way this way I’m still there
My influence is like Uncle Joe Stalin always present and seeing
Give them Hell drove them to break to leave hire and fire ‘em
Still give me some wanga it’s my account even if I’m booted
Army officer.
His name was Jones, was not Welsh
perhaps his grandfather was
He spoke a peculiar upper-class English
sounded like a monologue directed
at people with low intelligence.
Jones was depressed his career had stalled
usually, a lieutenant was in charge
of a platoon, but he had gotten the order
His wife had a lover he could not divorce her
since she came from a military family
and it would hinder his prospects.
The Argentinians had a machine gun nest
On top of a knoll, stopping them, they had
to take it out.
They had tried to go around but got under
the fire, he had lost two men, took a decision
ran up the hill with his light machine gun
straight at the enemy and cleared the nest.
When the rest of the platoon got up
Jones was dead, but the nest was clear.
Jones was now a hero mentioned in
the dispatches and stories were told
of the dashing officer sacrificing his life
for the war effort on the Falkland
Ps. His wife married her lover.
It was noon for Lady Amanda
And in drove a Platoon Commander:
Gerald Rutherford, full Lieutenant
Many years back her Quiet Tenant...
Now Military, still Great Manners,
As though in defence of Great Banners,
The two hoisted in front of his Jeep
And a white he chose to close keep...
Key off Jeep's Ignition box, a leap:
He's had something robbing him Good Sleep
"Yes, what's it that you want, Commander?"
"Oh, thanks, Sweet Lady! Your Miranda..."
"You didn't say: Ex - Land Lady's smile."
"Oh my God! Just begun bad file!"
I met a police Lieutenant who became my loving friend
He volunteered his help with a serious case of mine
It all revolved around trauma in my childhood
He understood and validated issues more than anyone
He listened to years of information with full attention
In fact the first day we met, he spent 8 hours listening to me
He helped me pursue justice and wanted closure for me
It was the only 2 and a half years, I felt I wasn't alone with this
I was heard, accepted, understood and bound by a special bond
Sadly he was killed, but the memories of our time together
All he gave me in precious hours of empathetic listening and work
Could not be traded for anything in this world where I have lived
I knew, I owed it to him to move forward and survive
His words and care will never leave me, as I will forever hear him
Heidi Sands
7/28/22
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