Uniform Basic

by Juanita Kirton

It wasn’t mine   an issued item
borrowed       socks itchy
undershirt a shitty brown
jacket too loose      pants too baggy
behind metal doors
3-each hang at ATTENTION 

Sarge bellows, “Move no walking in this here yard”
chew     swallow     run out the door
get up    push-up     pull ups
run      run    run              further        longer
M-16      two-minute break-down
government sanctioned to kill
boots get softer          feet tougher
itchy socks         nasty socks
shitty brown       stinky smells
jacket got muscles       slack in the pants
clean latrines         wax the floors
platoon inspection     pack my gear
gas mask     choke & puke
ready      stead      shoot     kill 

“Momma momma, can’t you see
What the Army’s done for me
75 pounds on my back
No more Beer or Apple Jack” 

Ho, Ho, Ho,Ho, ooh, ooh, ooh,  ooh
Ho, Ho, Ho, Ho, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh”