A 4th of July thingie...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

We sent people into space today...
Hooray, it's the Fourth of July.

We charged a soldier with the murder and rape
of the people we say we are freeing
only the day before. (hooray, it's the third of July?)

We're eating hamburgers
and hot dogs,
with mustard
and fries

While Apaches fly in low
with heat seeking armaments
that can see a body without light
and blow it out of existence.
Before it knew it was a target.

We're marching to Sousa
and watching Uncle Sam
on stilts.
With balloons for the children,

While our children
nurse their wounds
in Ramstad
if they're lucky.

We're drinking beer at poolside,
laughing
at silly jokes
and looking at pretty girls

while another bomb goes off
in a market in Faluja
and a mother and child
are ripped
apart
from each other
forever.
The gutters ran with blood.

But we sent people into space today
and cheered,
I know I did.

As our country
continues
in a campaign

that spells death for mine and theirs.



It's hot as hell on the fourth of July.


Maybe there's a reason for that.

end.