Vietnam

Gray lead and shiny yellow brass
Pushing death
From a stainless steel gun
That’s not made of flesh:
It’s integral parts lubricated
By oil and grease
To withstand the heat and humidity,
But what is there to erase
The red stain
On white cloth that covers
The pain
On a moving part of anatomy
Or the look on a human face?

Vietnam

Gray lead and shiny yellow brass
Pushing death
From a stainless steel gun
That’s not made of flesh:
It’s integral parts lubricated
By oil and grease
To withstand the heat and humidity,
But what is there to erase
The red stain
On white cloth that covers
The pain
On a moving part of anatomy
Or the look on a human face?

Vietnam

Gray lead and shiny yellow brass
Pushing death
From a stainless steel gun
That’s not made of flesh:
It’s integral parts lubricated
By oil and grease
To withstand the heat and humidity,
But what is there to erase
The red stain
On white cloth that covers
The pain
On a moving part of anatomy
Or the look on a human face?