I dig the jackets and the rifles
but there’s a problem with being in the army
there’s always some hill to take
some strategic objective
and if you survive that
there’s another hill
another strategic objective
and another damn one after that
and another and another and another
there’s always one more
strategic objectives out the bazookas
if it’s not a hill, it’s a bridge
and there’s always one more commander
who deems it necessary to take
while he dines on good meal with cognac
safe; well behind the lines
out of the line of fire
out of enemy range
while the soldier hunkers down in the foxhole
hungry dirty scared scarred battle weary
just following orders
from one more lieutenant or sergeant
who may be the type to put the objective
ahead of his men’s lives
in his tunnel vision quest to achieve glory
‘ a job well done ‘
a salute from the top brass
another medal pinned on his chest and a promotion at your expense
