The Silence: September 1968 — Part I

Public Domain

In the trail squad
of a platoon-sized patrol
as it makes its way up
the barely cleared path
through the jungle
nervous as hell.

Claymores shatter the jungle
impossibly loud
body-slamming explosions
intermixed with screams
oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!
drops to the ground.
AK-47 and machine guns
and grenades warp
the air, push him into
the dirt
tracers in every direction
above.
Overwhelmed.
“Move your ass, cherry!”
barks the platoon sergeant
he leaps up, takes a step…
the Bouncing Betty
shoots up
explodes
between them
knocked off his feet
into the bushes
his legs, ass and back
on fire
Sergeant Hollis collapses
surprise
frozen on his face
all firing stops.

Silence.

Part II is here.

— Matthew S. Spira © 2019