Vietnam Era

By William Scott

Departing track homes of pastel stucco

Over paint-lined grid of sun-bleached asphalt,

Through impact sprinkler dew on emerald plateau,

Where sycamore and eucalyptus exalt.

To the remnant lemon grove, were we find

Our portal to the untamed lands between

The plans, outside of the built world and time;

Storm drain full of Ancient’s forgotten dreams.

Some boys ahead on the wide sandy flat,

Pellet rifles pointed in menaced glee

Into the fractal stream upon frog backs;

Blood, water, and fragments of gutty green.

“Hide your horror at this surplus violence,

Slip away to the sea and its contents.”