We stood
rigid and on line
Like little toy Marines
Rigid, at attention,
silence building tension,
Surprise on some kids’ faces
as if there were recruiter failed to mention
the DI's cruel intentions.
They burst through the door like rabbit dogs,
barking and biting, they struck like lightning.
For some it was merely disorienting,
for others it was frightening.
All the screaming, all of this yelling,
to condition us to be the kind of men
who can keep calm under shelling.
These men are sharks, weakness smelling.
When it ends, no telling.
Screaming and running,
up and down.
They threw everything we had left
all over the ground.
Then they disappear
leaving us
rigid and on line.
Mason Rodrigue is a former USMC machine gunner and author of the poetry collection Rock Eater. Listen to our interview with Mason on the Savage Wonder podcast here.
Next up here at Savage Wonder—Bedroom Farce, by Alan Ayckbourn. Four bedrooms, one night, and rather too many crossed wires. Do try to keep up.
