I have time now,
Lots and lots of time.
I sit on my deck,
Marvel at the birds.
In Okinawa,
We teased the new guys.
Look! Look! A BI—RD!
Hey, JEEP!
Slang for a new airman,
One-striper.
Get me a bucket of prop wash!
I need five yards of flight line!

Go to the shop and get it!
Poor soul!
A rite of passage,
We all went through it!
No such thing in ‘Nam!
No joy!
No goofing around!
Straight up,
Straight down,
C-130As shaking,
Vibrating so, so loud
We’re wondering,
Exactly when are we going to crash?
Holes coming through
The thin aluminum,
762 x 39,
Claw for altitude,
Medivac.
Never can I forget my flights
And I want to!