Propagandhi

At Harold Edward's Elementary you pay respect to Our
God, Our Flag, Our Military.
In grade 3 I had a written composition about the global
threat of communism. And I was the luckiest 8-year
old McCarthyist of 1979: I spent spring break on the
flight line of a base in the Carolinas- the U.
S. version of my dad had signed us in.
And 12 years later, the Gatling I'd touched that was
strapped to the nose of a U.
S.A.-10, separated flesh from bone and honed its skills
on "lesser humans".
And thus confirmed the suspicions earned in the 7 years
preceding about the lies I was told and if the truth
be known, I'm probably better off believing (well,
they said I'm better off believing.
.. somehowbetter off believing).
But how could they do this to me?
Born head first and brought up ankle deep.
And maybe you're a lot like me- identified for 14 years
without a choice. Terrified the morning you woke up
and realized that if and when you jump ship,
you either swim for shore or drown. Don't let the fuckers drag you down.