The young corporal

wants his arms back,

and his girlfriend,

and two hands

to cut up Thanksgiving dinner

before it gets cold

 

He wants to play again

in the Turkey Bowl

at his boyhood park

with high school buddies

like he used to

but they’ve gone missing

into first homes

with wives and kids

playing in the backyard

 

He wants what else went missing

on ambush patrol outside Tay Ninh City

and to hell with a Bronze Star Medal

and a disability check and

a “Thank you for your service

to your country”

 

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