Rotten Apple,
Black Sheep.
Reason that my mother weeps.
Cause of all my father’s grief.
Promises I never keep.
Dug a fighting hole,
far too deep.
I made this bed,
but I can’t sleep.
Lost Rank,
Gained Shame.
The mirror shows
who caused my pain.
Self Loathing
fills my brain.
Lowlife shitbag,
should’ve been hit by a frag.
Burnt out like a cigarette’s drag.
Hide behind the American Flag.
"Eat the Apple,
Fuck the Corps.”
I don’t mean it,
I want more.
Pray they let me
stay for four.
Long night, black sky,
Deep dive,
Don’t cry.
I want a war
so I can die.
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.