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Zippo Lighters
Soldiers sent to Vietnam
Were oftentimes equipped
With Zippo lighters they’d engraved
And in their pockets slipped.
The sayings varied. Some were fun,
Irreverent or wise.
Each reflected feelings
Of those most unlucky guys.
I guess they’d hoped to leave behind
(If they did not return)
A small memento to pass on
To someone of concern.
I saw a whole collection
At a Vietnam display.*
The messages (with fates unknown)
Will in my mind’s eye weigh.
My favorite one (not rated X)
I’ll print in full below.
The owner sounds like someone
That I might have liked to know.
Fighter by day
Lover by night
Drunkard by choice
Marine by mistake
*at the New York Historical Society
Copyright ©
Ilene Bauer
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